Emile Smith Rowe is ready to end speculation surrounding his Arsenal future by signing a new long term contract, according to reports.
The 20-year-old has just two years remaining on his current deal and has been the subject of serious transfer interest from Aston Villa.
Dean Smith’s side, fresh off a mid-table finish, have launched two bids for the Gunners star, with suggestions a third was on the way.
That final bid was reportedly one that would have smashed their transfer record, set only this summer with the £33million signing of Emiliano Buendia.
Villa had hoped that in the midst of contract discussions they could turn the academy graduate’s head and make a major statement about their Premier League intentions.
However, BirminghamLive report that Villa are now resigned to losing out on Smith Rowe with talks progressing quickly.
Smith Rowe returned to pre-season training at London Colney this week and discussions have moved quickly with only a few details still to be ironed out.
Mikel Arteta made Smith Rowe an integral part of his team in the second half of the campaign, having managed his minutes in the first.
He ended the season with four goals and seven assists in all competitions, including goals in back-to-back games in the final month of the season.
The news of his imminent agreement will be warmly received by Nuno Tavares after Arsenal’s first summer signing revealed his excitement to play alongside him.
Tavares’ £6.8m transfer from Benfica was confirmed on Saturday, adding depth behind Kieran Tierney in the left-back berth.
And asked about players he’s keen to link up with, he pointed to Smith Rowe saying: “In the present I like [Smith Rowe], because he is my generation.“
“He’s played against us, on the same side – he played on the right, I played on the left – for the selection (youth) team. He’s a good player.”
Gunners legend Emmanuel Petit admitted his concern over Smith Rowe’s future, claiming his old side would need to prove their intentions if they were to keep him.
He told Metro Sport : “As a club, you need to show your players that you are ambitious. In terms of improvement, competition and ambition, it's very important to send them a signal. Arsenal have been sliding down the table for five or six years. When is it going to finish?
“Emile Smith Rowe is not stupid, he will be looking at guys like Mason Mount, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish enjoying their football with the national team, all smiling on the pitch and very relaxed with the pressure and the ambitions of their clubs and the national team. Smith Rowe will want to be the same.
“He will have had some questions in his mind and I hope Arsenal gave him the answers he was expecting in terms of the transfer market and ambitions for next season.
“If this season is the same season we've seen from Arsenal for the last couple of years, forget it. They're going to lose so many players at the end of the season.”
