Aston Villa transfer: Latest bid for Arsenal star to be entertained

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Aston Villa are undeterred in their efforts to land Arsenal playmaker Emile Smith Rowe. The Sunday Mirror (Print Edition; page 67), claims that the Villans are planning a third bid for the player.

Dean Smith is desperate for more creativity in the final third. Villa have seen bids of £25 million and £30 million rejected by Arsenal. Now, they are plotting another attempt to sign the player.

Smith Rowe has just two years left on his current deal. Villa are looking to exploit that and make the Arsenal man their second summer signing after Emi Buendia from Norwich.

Mikel Arteta is desperate to keep hold of the 20-year-old. He scored seven goals and claimed as many assists during 37 appearances last season.

He didn’t actually play in the Premier League last season until Boxing Day. Following his inclusion against Chelsea though, he became a mainstay in the Arsenal side.

Villa hope to lure him away from the Emirates Stadium. Smith saw his team finish 11th in the Premier League last season and with a few improvements, they could climb the table again.

The next bid is likely to be in the region of £32.5 million. It is claimed in the latest report that Arsenal will give it a fair hearing, with the heat being cranked up on the Gunners.

Future star: Losing Smith Rowe would be devastating for Arsenal

The youngster is the future of the North London-based club and for him to leave now would be catastrophic. Arteta called him ‘extraordinary’ back in January and clearly rates him.

He is just getting into his stride and as a result, the Arsenal boss should be plotting to build a team around him.

The Gunners do have some ambitious plans, with lots of players being linked to the club in big-money deals.

They shouldn’t be made at the expense of ridding the club of its crown jewels though and Arteta must plead with the hierarchy not to sell.