West Ham United could apparently ask for Emile Smith Rowe to be included in any deal with Arsenal for Declan Rice.
Following the Hammers' successful endeavours in the Europa Conference League final, the Gunners are preparing to accelerate their efforts to bring Rice to the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta's team are supposedly lining up an opening proposal worth £92m, which would surpass the club-record £72m that they forked out on Nicolas Pepe in 2019.
Despite interest from Manchester United and Bayern Munich, Rice apparently has his heart set on a move to Arsenal, who will be able to offer him Champions League football next season.
The 24-year-old gave little away regarding his future after West Ham beat Fiorentina 2-1 in the Europa Conference League final, but co-chairman David Sullivan revealed that Rice would be allowed to leave for the right price this summer.
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Rice has apparently informed West Ham of his desire to move to Arsenal, but the Hammers could still demand £100m in straight cash, in spite of the fact that his contract expires next summer.
However, David Moyes's side could also give consideration to a player-plus-cash deal, and The Sun claims that West Ham want Smith Rowe to move in the opposite direction.
The England Under-21 international burst onto the scene with Arsenal in the 2021-22 season, scoring 10 Premier League goals to finish as the Gunners' second-highest scorer behind Bukayo Saka.
Smith Rowe's fortunes took a nosedive in the 2022-23 campaign, though, as he set up just two goals in 15 appearances, having spent four months on the sidelines following groin surgery.
The form of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard also restricted the 22-year-old's minutes, and he failed to start a single Premier League game during the Gunners' title charge last term.
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With Gabriel Jesus also capable of filling in at left-wing, there have been suggestions that Smith Rowe could be axed this summer amid links with Aston Villa, who tried and failed to bring him to Villa Park in 2021.
However, Arsenal are supposedly reluctant to part ways with Smith Rowe, with an insider telling The Sun: "West Ham know they are in a strong position with this deal which is why targeting a talent like Emile Smith Rowe has become part of the conversation at the club.
"Nobody can replace Declan Rice, but David Moyes is a big fan of Smith Rowe and thinks he could really help the team as they rebuild and plan for life after Declan Rice.
"For a long period Smith Rowe was one of Arsenal's best players but he has fallen down the pecking order a little bit. He won't be a starter next season but Arsenal aren't keen to lose the player."
Smith Rowe has amassed 18 goals and 11 assists in 96 matches for Arsenal since making his senior breakthrough, and his contract at the Emirates still has three years left to run.
Ben Knapton
