TOP ROWE Emile Smith Rowe lined up for Premier League loan transfer switch after falling down pecking order

WEST HAM are reportedly a transfer swoop to sign Emile Smith Rowe from Arsenal.

Posted Saturday, January 20, 2024 by Thesun.co.uk

The 23-year-old midfielder has struggled for regular match action under Mikel Arteta this term.

West Ham want Emile Smith Rowe on a six-month loan

Now talkSPORT claims that the Hammers are willing to offer him the opportunity of Premier League minutes.

And they want to bring the England international across the capital on a season-long loan deal.

Smith Rowe is a much-loved and respected member of the Gunners squad both on and off the pitch.

But he has been limited to just six Premier League appearances so far this season.

And only one of those was as a starter.

He scored two goals and four assists in 20 Prem appearances during his breakthrough campaign back in 2020/21, earning himself a new five-year deal.

Smith Rowe followed that up by reaching double figures for goals in the next campaign - the first Hale End Academy graduate to do so since Arsenal legend Cesc Fabregas in 2010.

However, groin surgery halted his progress towards the end of 2022 and, after Leondro Trossard's arrival 12 months ago, he failed to start a single first team match after his return to fitness.

There was talk that he could depart the Emirates last summer but Arteta dug in and wanted to keep him as part of his squad.

Now Smith Rowe, who joined the club's academy aged nine, could have to go elsewhere in order to get more match action.

And a potential short-term switch across London to West Ham could prove to be beneficial to all parties.

Asked about Smith-Rowe ahead of Arsenal's match with Crystal Palce on Saturday, Arteta said: "I'm really happy with Emile.

"He's in the right trajectory. Now, he's settled, he's training really well and you know I'm not going to talk about individual situations."

His arrival would bolster David Moyes' hopes of securing European football again for the Hammers, who are currently sixth in the table.

The player himself would no doubt thrive by getting more game-time, and could use the opportunity to show Arteta and remind other potential suitors of his abilities.

And a return to top form could provide a boost for Arsenal next season - or lead to his value rocketing should they decide to cash in on him during the summer window.

Smith Rowe, who has been in Dubai training with the rest of his Arsenal team-mates, still has two years left on his contract.