Arsenal have reportedly rejected an approach from Chelsea for versatile attacker Emile Smith Rowe.
Having spent in excess of £200m in the summer transfer window, Arsenal are in a position where they could benefit from selling a number of squad players before Friday's deadline.
Recent progress has been made with regards to reducing the size of Mikel Arteta's squad with Kieran Tierney having moved to Real Sociedad on loan.
Folarin Balogun is also on the brink of making the permanent switch to Monaco in a big-money deal, reducing Arteta's options in the final third.
Nevertheless, more departures are expected in due course, and speculation persists regarding the future of academy graduate Smith Rowe.
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As a result of an injury at the beginning of 2022-23, the England international has fallen down the pecking order, being reduced to just 161 minutes in the top flight last season.
While the 23-year-old has been selected in each of the three matchday squads in the Premier League this campaign, the playmaker has remained as an unused substitute.
That has seemingly led to Chelsea taking note of the situation, head coach Mauricio Pochettino having made no secret of the fact that he wishes to sign a fresh face that can play in a number of roles in the final third.
However, according to the Daily Mail, Arsenal are against allowing Smith Rowe to join a club that are deemed to be a domestic rival.
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That is a contrasting stance to the one taken by Chelsea since the beginning of the year with Jorginho and Kai Havertz having departed West London for the North side of the capital.
The report suggests that only an offer 'of above Smith Rowe's market value' will tempt Arsenal into a change of heart before September 1.
Smith Rowe is also a boyhood Arsenal supporter, contributing 18 goals and 11 assists from his 97 appearances in the first team in all competitions.
With three years still remaining on the player's contract, Arsenal do not have to consider a sale below their asking price, particularly in light of generating at least €40m (£34.4m) through selling Balogun.
Darren Plant
