Arsenal star completing move to London rivals

Arsenal face rivals Liverpool in another all-Premier League pre-season friendly on Thursday. 

The Reds won their opening friendly of the summer, beating Spanish side Real Betis 1-0, while the Gunners have drawn against Bournemouth and beaten Manchester United.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will hope to see his side challenge for the title for a third consecutive time, and he will want to see them go one better this time after finishing second in each of the past two seasons.

In the meantime, one of the club’s attackers is nearing a move away from the club.

As per Fabrizio Romano, Fulham and Arsenal are finalising and signing the last details of Emile Smith-Rowe’s move to Craven Cottage.

The three-time England international is set to complete a move to the Cottagers for an initial fee of £27 million, plus a further £7 million in potential add-ons.

Smith-Rowe is on the verge of a move to London rivals Fulham

Smith-Rowe, 24, is a product of the Gunners’ youth academy and has played 115 times for the London side across all competitions, scoring 18 goals and providing 13 assists.

The Englishman has never established himself as a guaranteed starter under Arteta, and he appears to now finally be on the verge of a permanent move elsewhere having previously spent time on loan at both German side RB Leipzig and Football League outfit Huddersfield Town.

The player’s versatility will likely appeal to Fulham boss Marco Silva, with Smith-Rowe capable of playing in a number of attacking roles including as an advanced midfielder and as a winger on either flank.

His current contract with Arsenal is set to run until 2026, but the attacker is set to depart The Emirates in the coming days.