Fulham agree £27m deal for Emile Smith Rowe as the Arsenal academy graduate becomes the club’s record arrival at Craven Cottage – with the Gunners set to receive a further £7m in potential add-ons

Fulham have agreed a £27m deal with Arsenal for Emile Smith Rowe, which also includes up to £7m in add-ons.

Negotiations between the two clubs have been ongoing for several weeks, with Arsenal initially rejecting an initial offer as Crystal Palace were also interested in the playmaker.

The deal breaks a new transfer record for Fulham after they paid £25million for midfielder Jean Michael Seri six years ago.

Smith Rowe is currently on Arsenal’s pre-season tour of the United States but has not featured in any games as Fulham attempt to reach an agreement with last season’s Premier League runners-up.

An improved offer from Fulham has now been accepted, with the former England international set to join Marco Silva’s side, as reported by the BBC.

Fulham reportedly agree £27m deal with Arsenal for Emile Smith Rowe

Smith Rowe has expressed interest in leaving Arsenal in search of more regular playing time

Fulham boss Marco Silva has been keen to strengthen his attack during the summer transfer window

Fulham had already seen a £30million bid rejected for Smith Rowe as Arsenal looked to recoup a higher fee on their investment in a player many fans regard as one of the academy’s top talents.

Smith Rowe has yet to sign personal terms and is due to undergo a medical which could be carried out either in America or London.

His departure is also one of Arsenal’s most expensive, but falls short of the £35m Liverpool previously paid for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in 2017.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his current contract at the Emirates and struggled with injuries last season while being pushed out of a starting role due to the impressive performances of Leandro Trossard, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

However, the quality displayed in his 115 first-team appearances for the Gunners convinced Fulham to cash in on his potential which saw him emerge as a star in 2018.

Smith Rowe was capped three times by England in 2021 and 2022, scoring once, but started just three Premier League games last season as Arsenal finished second in the Premier League for the second consecutive campaign behind Man City.