Fulham closing in on the signing of Emile Smith Rowe from Arsenal

Fulham have agreed a deal with Arsenal for midfielder Emile Smith Rowe which amounts to an initial £27million, the PA news agency understands.

The 24-year-old England international, who came through the Gunners’ academy, could eventually cost the Cottagers a further £7million on meeting specific targets, potentially making the move a club-record transfer.

It is understood Smith Rowe, who joined Arsenal as a 10-year-old, will now undergo a medical with a view to completing his move.

A member of the England Under-17s squad which won the World Cup in 2017, he made his senior Arsenal debut as an 18-year-old substitute in a 4-2 Europa League victory over Ukrainian side Vorskla Poltava in September 2018, and his first start in a Carabao Cup win against Brentford six days later.

Playmaker Smith Rowe scored 10 goals in 33 Premier League appearances during the 2021-22 campaign having prospered in loan spells with RB Leipzig and Huddersfield, but injuries hampered his efforts to force his way into boss Mikel Arteta’s plans thereafter.

He joins a club that consolidated itself in the top flight last season after a 10th-place finish in their first campaign back, and head coach Marco Silva will hope his new addition will bring fresh creativity.