By Gabriel Agbonlahor

25th May, 2023 | 7:00am

Clubs queuing up to agree '£40m Emile Smith Rowe deal' with Arsenal - Agbonlahor

Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed Arsenal have a “big decision” to make over Emile Smith Rowe’s future.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Aston Villa striker said the Gunners would make £30-£40million if they choose to sell Smith Rowe this summer.

The 22-year-old is contracted at the Emirates until 2026 after signing an extension in July 2021.

The midfielder has struggled with injuries throughout the current campaign and has made just 11 Premier League appearances for 147 minutes of playing time.

Fellow midfielder Granit Xhaka looks set to depart the London club for Bayer Leverkusen this summer and force Arsenal to seek reinforcements in the middle of the park.

According to football.london (16 May), Smith Rowe has been training as a central midfielder in recent weeks despite his preference to play out wide.

Mikel Arteta appears to be testing the water with the England youth international as a potential replacement for Xhaka which would negate the need for a new arrival.

When asked if Smith Rowe has what it takes to fill the Xhaka void, Agbonlahor told Football Insider: “I think there is potential but it is a very difficult situation for Arsenal.

“If they want to go and buy someone like Declan Rice and [Moises] Caicedo, they are not just going to get a big lump of money without player sales.

“I think he has got a big decision to make with Smith Rowe. Do they keep him and play him or sell him. They can’t have a £30-50m player in Smith Rowe who is just sitting on the bench and not playing.

“If they keep him they do not need to sign another player in that position, but if they do not want to play him then they have to sign sell him. There are plenty of teams in the Premier League who will pay £30/40m for him.“

In other news, ‘it’s very possible’ Arsenal could now complete two £60m+ signings.