As The Pitch Prospect has learned, Fulham are confident of successfully completing the transfer of Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe.
The Cottagers are close to completing a record deal worth £35million, while the Gunners are reluctant to let Smith Rowe go.
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The 23-year-old came through the club’s academy and made 115 appearances, but has struggled to get playing time over the last two seasons.
Last season, he only played 346 minutes in the Premier League after missing the match with a knee injury at the end of last year.
Gabriel Martinelli has cemented his place on the left wing, leaving Smith Rowe limited to substitute appearances.
His last appearance for England came in 2022 and he slipped out of the squad as he struggled to find his place in the Gunners’ starting lineup.
Although Smith Rowe took part in Arsenal’s pre-season tour of the USA, he did not play in the match against Bournemouth that night.
On Smith Rowe’s future, manager Mikel Arteta said: “Yes, there are some things happening in the background at the moment.
“We decided it was best to keep him out of the game today.”
The £35 million transfer fee would surpass Fulham’s previous record of £27 million, which the team paid for Ivorian midfielder Jean Michaël Seri in 2018.
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Crystal Palace were among the clubs keen to sign Smith Rowe, but their west London rivals appear to have won the race.
Fulham are also expected to be ahead of Palace and will beat Palace to another new signing: Ryan Sessegnon will probably sign on a free transfer.
Sessegnon had trained with the Eagles after his dismissal from Tottenham.
For Arsenal, Smith Rowe could be one of several departures from the Emirates this summer, with Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson also in talks to leave.
However, there will be new signings for Arteta, with Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori likely to arrive from Bologna.