Crystal Palace are looking to bolster their attacking ranks over the summer transfer window, with Arsenal star Emile Smith Rowe the latest name linked with a move.
It happens as the team is reviving following Michael Olise’s £50.8 million departure from Crystal Palace to join Bayern Munich.
The 22-year-old made just 19 Premier League appearances due to injury during a season that saw him score ten goals and provide six assists.
It will be difficult to replace such talent, posing a significant challenge to Dougie Freedman and the other members of the recruitment team.
Keeping that in mind, Emile Smith Rowe, an Arsenal star, is the most recent name to be connected to a move to Selhurst Park.
Since joining the Gunners’ first squad, the 23-year-old has primarily played on the left or as an attacking midfielder.
According to recent rumours, Fulham turned down Crystal Palace’s first offer for Smith Rowe. also competing for his signature.
While it could be a move that the Eagles pursue further, there is one key problem that may prevent a deal.
In all, it may be an expensive gamble that could backfire if Crystal Palace aren’t able to take the 23-year-old back to that level he can hit.
Emile Smith Rowe injury history
Some issues need to be addressed, especially given the cost of signing Smith Rowe, who would rank among the most expensive acquisitions in Crystal Palace’s history.
The primary one concerns the Arsenal player’s injury history, since he has had trouble with those problems in recent seasons.
Since the 2018–19 season, Smith Rowe has reportedly sustained five injuries totaling more than ninety days, according to Transfermarkt.
Three of those have been caused by a recurrent groyne injury, which required surgery in 2022 and kept him out for more than 120 days.
Smith Rowe hasn’t been a consistent member of the Arsenal squad for two full seasons, which will also make many wonder if he can ever achieve the same level of success.
Emile Smith Rowe value
Despite the fact that it would be a costly transaction, if Smith Rowe can return to his peak performance and avoid injuries, the acquisition might end up being a steal.
However, for a number of reasons, Crystal Palace doesn’t think the move makes sense at this time.
In addition to the transfer money and potential injury worries, his profile isn’t precisely that of an Olise replacement.
Smith As a right-footed player, Rowe frequently favours the left flank or centre areas over the right wing and cutting in.
The Arsenal academy graduate is a better option in this case to replace the likes of Eberechi Eze, who is still a Palace player.
Even though it would be an expensive deal, if Smith Rowe can get back to his best and stay injury-free, the purchase might turn out to be a great value.
But Crystal Palace doesn’t believe the move makes sense right now for a variety of reasons.
Apart from the transfer fee and any injury concerns, his profile isn’t exactly that of an Olise substitute.
Smith Rowe is a right-footed player who usually prefers to cut in and preferring the left flank or central areas over the right wing.
In this instance, the Arsenal academy grad is a superior choice to take the position of players like the still-Palace-based Eberechi Eze.
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