Aston Villa reportedly believe they have a ‘decent chance’ of signing Arsenal starlet Emile Smith Rowe this summer, according to The Northern Echo.
The Villains have previously had a £25m bid for the 20-year-old rejected by the Gunners, but Dean Smith is expected to continue pursuing his services as he propels a summer recruitment drive [The Northern Echo].
Smith Rowe has yet to sign a new deal at Arsenal, whilst reports have indicated that the Midlands club could firm up a second offer for the youngster, believed to be around the sum of £30m [Football Insider].
The England under-21 international is only under contract at the Emirates Stadium until 2023, something that the Villa Park hierarchy are keen to exploit [Football Insider].
Villa have already beaten Arsenal to the chase for Emiliano Buendia [The Mirror] and signed Emiliano Martinez from the north London club last year, while they could also pounce upon the Gunners' reported reluctance to pay Sheffield United's £35m asking price for Sander Berge [Sheffield Star].
Aston Villa fans react
Upon hearing these developments, many Aston Villa diehards took to Twitter to express their opinions on this latest news.
Replying to popular Twitter outlet The AVFC Faithful, here is how some Villa supporters summarised the situation with Smith Rowe:
"I’m not too bothered if we get him or not but it would be hilarious"