West Ham included an intriguing stipulation in Declan Rice’s contract with Arsenal, granting them the first option to sign his fellow England teammate.
In July, Rice made a high-profile move to Arsenal for a record-breaking £105 million transfer fee within the British football scene. His transition to life in North London has been seamless.
The negotiation between Arsenal and West Ham was arduous, driven by David Moyes’ ambition to secure the maximum possible compensation for their prized asset.
Within Rice’s contract at the Emirates, West Ham added an intriguing provision. It stipulates that they hold the first right of refusal to acquire Emile Smith Rowe in case he decides to leave the club in the upcoming year. Football Transfers reported this clause, asserting that Smith Rowe was Moyes’ preferred choice over Mohamed Kudus before the Ghanaian’s signing.
Smith Rowe, who has recently recovered from a lengthy knee injury, has yet to secure a starting position under Mikel Arteta’s management this season. His current contract extends until 2026, and it remains uncertain whether Arsenal would be inclined to sell the midfielder or prefer to loan him out.
During the summer transfer window, several Premier League clubs, including Aston Villa and Chelsea, were linked with a potential move for Smith Rowe. Rumors have also suggested that Newcastle might be interested in signing him in January. However, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano indicated that no concrete talks had taken place with Newcastle yet and suggested that discussions might become more relevant closer to the January transfer window. Romano also highlighted that Newcastle’s signings would depend on their prospects of securing a place in the UEFA Champions League in the latter part of the season.
Arteta, speaking back in April, expressed optimism about Smith Rowe’s future at Arsenal. He emphasized the importance of a player’s current contributions to the team and their ability to make the team better and win games, regardless of their past achievements. Arteta mentioned that Smith Rowe was on the verge of achieving this.