Smith Rowe sale ‘fallout’ would be ‘phenomenal’, says ex-Villa man

Lewis Oldham
Smith Rowe F365
Emile Smith Rowe

Former Aston Villa defender Alan Hutton has suggested that if Emile Smith Rowe is sold this summer, the “fallout” at Arsenal would be “phenomenal”.

The Englishman enjoyed his breakthrough season with Arsenal in 2020/21. He got seven goals and seven assists for them as he was one of their shining lights in an otherwise disappointing campaign.

After beating the Gunners to the signing of Emiliano Buendia, Villa are now interested in Smith Rowe.


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Dean Smith’s side have already had two bids rejected for the forward. The first was for a fee of £25m and the second was in the region of £30m.

It was reported on Wednesday that the Villans are “preparing” a third bid for Smith RoweArsenal are still said to be keen to offer the youngster a new contract.

Hutton played 201 times for Villa between 2011 and 2019. He has told Football Insider that Arsenal “fans will go mental” if Smith Rowe is sold:

“I thought they’d put in another bid and it looks like it’s coming.

“I just don’t know where Arsenal are at, at the moment. I’m kind of on the fence.

“I was thinking are they going to let him go? The fans will go mental so I’m in the middle at the moment.

“If he does leave Arsenal, wow. The fallout from that I think would be absolutely phenomenal.

“It just shows you there’s a shift in big clubs at the moment. Obviously, Aston Villa are throwing about their weight.

“They’re not scared to put their money where their mouth is and they’re just attacking it.”

Elsewhere, Nigel Winterburn has suggested that it would be a “disaster” if Arsenal sell Smith Rowe:

“If we were to let him go it would be a disaster, it would send out completely the wrong message to our supporters.

“He’s a young player who’s had his breakthrough season, he’s been hugely impressive, and we cannot afford to let him go.

“I do genuinely believe it would have such a negative impact on the club, we’ve got some good attacking young talent and to sell to another Premier League club would be a complete disaster.”