Arsenal have turned down Chelsea’s first approach to sign Emile Smith Rowe, according to reports.
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Chelsea are looking to bolster Mauricio Pochettino’s squad with another attacking option and Smith Rowe has emerged as a candidate for a late move to Stamford Bridge.
It’s understood that Arsenal are open to selling the 23-year-old, who has not featured in any of their three Premier League games so far this season.
However, MailOnline reports that Chelsea initial move for Smith Rowe has been met with a ‘short thrift’ by Arsenal.
The report claims that the Gunners are unwilling to sell the midfielder to a direct Premier League rival.
It’s also claimed that Chelsea would be willing to offer players to Arsenal as part of their deal to sign Smith Rowe.
Speaking last week, Pochettino made it clear that Chelsea are working on bringing in a new attacking signing before the window closes on Friday with Christopher Nkunku sidelined until the end of the year, while Armando Broja, Carney Chukwuemeka and Mykhailo Mudryk are also unavailable.
‘We were talking about one offensive player with the right profile to help,’ Pochettino said.
‘If you said to me we can add the right profile? Yes [we would sign someone].’
Meanwhile, Smith Rowe is keen to secure more playing time after falling out of favour with Mikel Arteta.
The midfielder struggled to secure a regular role under Arteta last season after undergoing groin surgery and made 12 appearances in the Premier League – all of which came off the bench.
But earlier this summer, he played a pivotal role in England’s victory in the European Under-21 Championship.
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