Arsenal transfer news: Gunners 'set terms' for sale of homegrown talent

Despite all the speculation regarding new additions, the Gunners are yet to make a first-team signing, aside from converting David Raya's loan move into a permanent stay.

However, that is expected to change in due course with Arsenal allegedly closing in on the acquisition of Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori.

With the North Londoners due to spend in excess of £40m on the Italy international, more sales will inevitably have to materialise if they wish to strengthen other areas of the pitch.

Club officials have the option of doing that through parting ways with homegrown talent, including Reiss Nelson who is known to be attracting interest from elsewhere.

Nevertheless, the future of Smith Rowe remains a hot topic of conversation for the same reason, and because Arsenal expect to generate more money through his sale.

Arsenal not expected to budge easily

The England international has barely featured under Mikel Arteta for two seasons, largely due to injury but partly through failing to regain his spot in the team.

According to The Athletic, Arteta has identified the playmaker as the club's best option to cash in over the coming weeks.

That said, the report indicates that Arsenal want the 23-year-old to officially indicate that he is eager to secure a transfer to another club.

Furthermore, any proposal must meet the demands of last season's Premier League runners-up. A previous report has suggested that his asking price stands at £35m.

Can Arsenal afford to drag their feet?

In the short term, the answer is probably yes, but Arsenal officials must weigh up the risk and reward of holding out for a sum of money that may not arrive.

As well as having just two years remaining on his contract, Smith Rowe has accumulated just 616 minutes of football since the start of 2022-23.

Fulham and Crystal Palace have each been credited with an interest, while Aston Villa had previously been linked before turning their attention elsewhere.