London club planning swoop for Emile Smith Rowe

West Ham United have opened talks with Arsenal to sign midfielder Emile Smith Rowe on an initial loan deal, according to The Telegraph.

The Hammers are currently in a mid-season crisis with Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta injured while Mohammed Kudus and Said Benrahma are away on African Cup of Nations duty.

This has left them without their main attacking quartet and they are keen on adding more creativity into the squad. The club have now opened talks with the Gunners regarding Smith Rowe.

Smith Rowe has been a fringe player for the north London giants over the past two years. He has been hampered by multiple injuries while there is also fierce competition for a starting role.

He has been linked with a possible move away from the Emirates Stadium for some time, but we would be surprised if he is permitted to leave for the Hammers midway through the campaign.

Arsenal are likely to wait until the end of the season before making a decision on Smith Rowe. Villa are also long-term admirers of the Gunners graduate.