Aston Villa make £25m bid for Smith Rowe

Aston Villa have made an offer in the region of £25m for Arsenal starlet Emile Smith Rowe. And Real Madrid are also considering trying to exploit Arsenal’s interest in Martin Odegaard by asking for attacking midfielder Smith Rowe in exchange.

Villa have made their latest bold move of this transfer window by tabling a bid for Smith Rowe. Arsenal are expected to rebuff Villa’s approach.

Villa have already beaten Arsenal to the signing of Norwich midfielder Emi Buendia. The Argentinian arrived for a club-record £33m in a statement-of-intent deal and Smith Rowe is one of the next targets in Villa’s sights.

Ambitious Villa have big plans for this summer window as they bid to build on last season’s mid-table finish and manager Dean Smith is keen to add to the core of young, English talent he already has in his Villa squad.

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As well as Smith Rowe he also wants to prise Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse away from St Mary’s.

Along with Villa, Madrid are also showing interest in Smith Rowe and view the Odegaard situation as one they could take advantage of.

Odegaard has been Arsenal’s No.1 target this summer after spending the second half of last season on loan at The Emirates.

Madrid want around £35m for the Norwegian playmaker but would also be willing to accept a deal that involved Smith Rowe heading to Spain. The mounting interest in Smith Rowe comes with Arsenal attempting to secure the long-term future of their academy product.

Smith Rowe enters the final two years of his contract next season and Arsenal have been in talks to try and tie him down on a new deal.

Last term was a breakout campaign for Smith Rowe who nailed down a place in Arsenal’s first team and emerged as one of their best players during the campaign. He scored four goals and set up eight more in 33 appearances.