‘Agent played a blinder’: Some Villa fans react as coach says £30m-rated target is ‘100%’ staying

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Aston Villa can seemingly forget about signing Emile Smith Rowe this summer following Mikel Arteta’s latest comments on the playmaker.

Speaking after Arsenal’s 2-1 pre-season loss to Hibernian via the Athletic, the Gunners manager said that the 20-year-old playmaker will ‘100%’ stay with the club.

Arteta said when asked about Smith Rowe’s future: “Without a question. Yes. He (Smith Rowe) will stay here. 100%.”

Smith Rowe has been heavily linked with a move to Villa in recent weeks. The Athletic report that Dean Smith’s side submitted two offers for the youngster, with a £30m bid the latest to test Arsenal.

Villa have been eager to sign Smith Rowe this summer. The England youth international enjoyed a breakout season with the Gunners last campaign.

However, it now appears that the youngster will stay with the north London side and pen a new deal with the Gunners.

Villa have already signed one playmaker this summer in the former of Emi Buendia. However, Smith looks eager to add a second to the squad this summer.

Despite Villa being linked with Smith Rowe for quite some time, most fans on social media were not too bothered that the club will miss out on the midfielder.

Here’s what some Aston Villa fans had to say on Twitter about Arteta’s comments on Smith Rowe…

https://twitter.com/Hoodmorpheus2/status/1415183494309875714

With over a month of the transfer window left, Villa have plenty of time to draw out plans for a second playmaker signing this summer.