Arsenal reject second Aston Villa bid for Smith Rowe

Arsenal have reportedly rejected a second bid from Aston Villa for Emile Smith Rowe, who is yet to agree a new deal at the Emirates stadium.

Villa had an opening bid of around £25million turned down by Arsenal for Smith Rowe and they are said to have upped that offer to roughly £30million.

But The Athletic claim the Gunners have rebuffed the improved offer and are adamant that their academy graduate is not for sale.

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The 20-year-old playmaker is entering the final two years of his current contract and negotiations over a new deal are said to be ongoing.

But nothing has been agreed thus far and Villa are keen to take advantage.

Smith Rowe enjoyed a breakthrough season for Arsenal last term, scoring four goals in 33 appearances across all competitions.

He – along with Bukayo Saka – was the standout performer in a disappointing season for Mikel Arteta.

The Spanish boss is in the process of a big rebuild in north London and will be desperate to add to his squad, rather than lose the biggest talents from it.

But Trevor Sinclair believes Smith Rowe should do himself a favour and leave Arsenal behind.

He claims the potential departure of Villa captain Jack Grealish will open the door for someone like Smith Rowe, who would have the chance to establish himself as an elite playmaker at Villa Park.

The former West Ham man told talkSPORT: “The biggest thing out of all that is, why are they [Villa] looking to buy him?

“I think that points me towards the direction that Jack Grealish could potentially be moving away from Aston Villa.

“I have said it before about Smith Rowe. He reminds me of Paul Merson. Before the ball is coming into him, he’s looking to play it around the corner, first time, then get after it and join in.

“I feel he could be a player that could go in, if Grealish did go, and develop his game. Start playing Premier League football and do himself a whole heap of good.”