In one of the most shocking reports of the summer, one of Leeds United’s Championship opponents for next season is considering an ambitious loan move for an Arsenal player.
Leeds fans will be hopeful about their chances of gaining promotion at the second time of asking, especially given the quality of the teams that came through last season.
However, it is unclear whether the top end of the league will be stronger next year while everyone waits to see how Luton Town, Burnley, and Sheffield United fare in the transfer market.
According to one source this month, Luton have huge ambitions for replacing Ross Barkley.
Leeds must act if Emile Smith Rowe genuinely can join the Championship side on loan this summer.
Football Transfers claimed that the Hatters are interested in loaning Emile Smith Rowe, an Arsenal attacking midfielder who has struggled for minutes over the past two years.
In reality, it’s extremely unlikely that Smith Rowe will wind up on loan in the Championship next season. Despite his struggles at the Emirates, he was last relegated to the second tier the year Leeds got promoted under Marcelo Bielsa. He went on to score ten Premier League goals in the 2021/22 season.
However, if Luton are preparing a move and believe they have a chance of making a deal, Leeds should also put themselves in the mix.
The Arsenal player has already sent Whites up once.
Smith Rowe is a ‘special’ talent who contributed significantly to Arsenal’s rise from mid-table mediocrity. He struggled with injuries, which pushed him down the pecking order.
Fulham and Brighton are also interested in Smith Rowe, so he is clearly a player with the potential to prosper at the highest level. He would undoubtedly be a game changer in the Championship if a move were viable.
Smith Rowe has already made his mark in Leeds history by scoring the goal that sealed the Whites’ promotion four years ago.
If there is a prospect of a Championship loan move this summer, Leeds would be crazy not to pursue it and offer him the opportunity to potentially score another promotion-clinching goal for the club.