Sources claim West Ham are keen to sign Arsenal star  before the summer deadline and will try again if he intends to leave.

The £105m transfer for Declan Rice was not the only deal struck between West Ham and Arsenal during the summer transfer window.

Three days before the summer transfer window closed, Football Insider claimed that Arsenal player Emile Smith Rowe was a target for the Hammers.

Ultimately, the move failed to materialize after West Ham signed midfield trio Mohammed Kudus, Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse for a combined fee of £102m using the majority of Rice’s money from Arsenal.

Sources claim West Ham want to sign Arsenal star Emile Smith Rowe before the deadline and will try again if he intends to leave.
Gunners fan favorite Smith Rowe has started just one game for Arsenal in all competitions this season.

Now sources claim West Ham are keen to sign Arsenal star Smith Rowe before the deadline and will try again if he considers leaving.

According to “sources” speaking to Football Insider, Smith Rowe is “assessing his options” ahead of the January transfer window.

And West Ham – where star midfielder Lucas Paqueta faces an uncertain long-term future after almost joining Man City – remains heavily linked.

“We believe that the club and the player can agree that it is time to move on”
“A deal with Smith Rowe has not materialized and he remains an Arsenal player until January – when the door could now open to interested parties such as West Ham,” the report said.

“It is believed that the club and the player can agree that now is the time to leave if more new signings appear in the upcoming transfer window.

“During the summer transfer window, sources said the Gunners could accept a bid of £35-40 million for the England international – who has 3 years left on his contract…

“Arsenal are considering signing more in the January transfer window, which would only push their right foot further down the pecking order at Emirates Stadium.”

Any move by the Hammers for Smith Rowe will certainly depend on Paqueta’s long-term future
It’s hard to see how Smith Rowe will get more playing time at West Ham than at Arsenal. Definitely in the most popular central location.

But clearly a lot will depend on Paqueta’s situation. The Brazilian tennis player is facing serious charges related to participating in illegal betting – something he vehemently denies.

This saw the £85m transfer to Man City collapse and may explain why West Ham did not register an interest in Smith Rowe at the end of August. If Paqueta leaves, Man City is expected to renew their interest. If found guilty, the West Ham talisman could face a lengthy ban. So in both cases, replacement is necessary.

Depending on the outcome of the Paqueta situation, it is possible – if these sources are to be believed – that Smith Rowe, 23, could be the man the Hammers are considering to replace him.