Chelsea are weighing up a late swoop for Arsenal star Emile Smith Rowe ahead of Friday’s transfer deadline day.
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The Blues’ have spent close to £1billion since Todd Boehly’s takeover last year with £350m spent this summer alone.
Despite the 10 new signings, Mauricio Pochettino is eager for another attacking option with recent arrival Christopher Nkunku sidelined with a knee injury.
The Daily Mail report Chelsea are considering a move for Arsenal academy product Smith Rowe, with Barcelona duo Raphinha and Ferran Torres also under consideration at Stamford Bridge.
While the report states Chelsea’s interest in the trio is not advanced at this stage, they are being discussed by the Chelsea hierarchy with just five days of the summer transfer window remaining.
Smith Rowe broke into the Arsenal first-team in 2020 and following speculation over his long-term future in north London, signed a new five-year deal in 2021.
After struggling with a groin problem at the start of last season, the 23-year-old underwent surgery which saw him miss the first half of the 2022-23 campaign as Arsenal challenged Manchester City for the title.
Following his return to the squad in January, he failed to start a single league game in the second half of the season. Smith Rowe has remained on the bench in Arsenal’s opening three games of the new campaign, with Fabio Vieira coming on and impressing ahead of him in the weekend draw against Fulham.
Arsenal have been looking to further trim their squad ahead of deadline day with Kieran Tierney sealing his loan move to Real Sociedad on Sunday.
Folarin Balogun is also poised to leave on a permanent deal with Arsenal agreeing a £40million deal with Monaco for the USA international.
Asked about Arsenal’s outgoing business over the coming weeks last Friday, Arteta said: ‘There are some movements happening.
‘The last week is going to be busy – nothing that we can announce at the moment.’
West Ham were credited with interest in Smith Rowe earlier in the window but reports at the time suggested Arsenal had no intention of selling the youngster.
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