By Frank McAvennie

1st Jul, 2021 | 7:00am

McAvennie cites Smith Rowe 'girlfriend' as he suggests real reason Aston Villa offer rejected

Emile Smith Rowe may be content with Arsenal rejecting an Aston Villa approach for his services because he is happy living in London.

That is according to ex-Villa striker Frank McAvennie, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the transfer saga involving the young playmaker.

This site revealed on 21st June that Villa were preparing a second bid of £30million for the attacking midfielder.

The Athletic reported on 28th June that the bid had been registered and rejected by the Gunners.

The 20-year-old, whose current Arsenal contract runs until 2023, was born in Croydon and has always been permanently based in London.

McAvennie suggests that Smith Rowe may be unwilling to relocate and will therefore be content to see Villa’s offer rejected.

He told Football Insider correspondent Adam Williams: “He might be happy with them rejecting it.

“Maybe he doesn’t want to go to Birmingham and he’s happy in London. Maybe his family and his girlfriend are happy in London.

“I’m not going to criticise Birmingham because I loved it down there [Birmingham] but, for some people, London is the be-all and end-all.

“That could be one reason for it. It’s cosmopolitan in London and you can walk around without anyone bothering you.”

Smith Rowe enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2020-21 and registered seven assists and seven goals across 36 appearances in all competitions.

He made his senior debut for the Gunners in 2018 and has also spent time on loan with RB Leipzig and Huddersfield.

In other news, pundit predicts Aston Villa European challenge as big-money striker raid reportedly readied.