According to sources, Fulham is getting closer to finalizing a £35 million deal for Arsenal playmaker Emile Smith Rowe as the Gunners seem ready to let one of their academy graduates go.

The 23-year-old has traveled to the United States with a 28-man group and scored in Arsenal’s preseason triumph over Leyton Orient, but it now appears that he may be switching allegiances.

The Athletic reports that Fulham is close to reaching an agreement on a deal for Smith Rowe, having earlier had a proposal of £30 million rejected by Arsenal, who wаnted to recover a bigger sum on their investment.

While the forward was weighing his playing options outside of the Emirates, Crystal Palace also expressed interest in him. However, it appears that Marco Silva’s team beаt them to the signing.

Smith Rowe still needs to sign off on personal terms and undergo a physical, which could be finished in America or back in London, even if the two teams are getting close to an agreement.

Additionally, Fulham is now on a preseason tour of America, which should facilitate the final arrangements between the people concerned.

His anticipated arrival at Craven Cottage will surpass the £25 million Fulham paid for Jean Michael Seri six years ago as the club’s biggest acquisition.

In addition to matching Arsenal’s record sale price of £35 million, this deal shows the club’s readiness to offload players who are not core members of Mikel Arteta’s team, since Eddie Nketiah has potential bidders from throughout Europe.

Though many Arsenal fans consider Smith Rowe to be one of their finest attacking academy graduates, Rowe has become irritated at not getting many regular playing appearances.

He still has two years left on his current contract with the Emirates. Last season, he battled injuries and lost his starting position as a result of Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli, and Bukayo Saka’s strong play.

But the traits he’s shown in 115 senior games for the Gunners have persuaded Fulham to take advantage of his potential, which previously saw him break through as a star in 2018.

Smith Rowe was an England cap winner three times in 2021 and 2022, with one goal. However, he only made three starts in the Premier League during the previous season, as Arsenal finished second in the league behind Manchester City for the second time in a row.