Deal Close: Arsenal set to sell Smith Rowe to Chelsea so they can sign £80M World-class player before the transfer window closes

Deal Close: Arsenal set to sell Smith Rowe to Chelsea so they can sign £80M World-class player(Ivan from Brentford) before the transfer window closes

Chelsea are weighing up a move for Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe before Friday’s transfer deadline – with Barcelona duo Raphinha and Ferran Torres also on the Blues’ radar
By Simon Jones for MailOnline

Chelsea are considering a late move for Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe, 23
Blues are weighing up approaches for Barcelona’s Ferran Torres and Raphinha
Transfer news LIVE: Tottenham to make £50m move for Wales’ Brennan Johnson
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Chelsea are considering a late move for Arsenal star Emile Smith Rowe and Barcelona pair Raphinha and Ferran Torres.

The Blues have already spent around £350million this summer and around £900m in total under big-spending chairman Todd Boehly since his arrival in May 2022.

Despite all these additions, the west London side look light going forwards.

And manager Mauricio Pochettino clearly wants to strengthen in attack before Friday’s transfer deadline.

And as reported in Monday’s Transfer Confidential column from Mail Sport’s transfer guru Simon Jones, Boehly, Pochettino and Co are weighing up imminent moves for Smith Rowe, Raphinha and Torres.

Interest is not particularly advanced but that trio are among the names being discussed by the Chelsea hierarchy at this stage.

Smith Rowe, 23, endured an injury-hit season in 2022-23 and has not yet played a single minute in the Premier League for the Gunners this campaign.

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Ferran Torres has often been used as a backup to star striker Robert Lewandowski at the Nou Camp.

And Brazilian winger Raphinha, formerly of Leeds, has been dropped for 16-year-old wonderkid Lamine Yamal in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, Ian Maatsen’s decision over a new contract could have a bearing on Marc Cucurella’s departure from Stamford Bridge.

Cucurella is available for loan and Manchester United made enquiries on Saturday but Chelsea may not be so sure if Holland U21 international left-back Maatsen doesn’t commit to a new deal.

The 21-year-old has been offered a lengthy deal but is unsure over the terms and the validity of signing it. Burnley, Borussia Dortmund and West Ham are all keen on Maatsen and could match or offer better terms too.

Mauricio Pochettino has been impressed with Maatsen and the club would prefer to let Cucurella go at this stage. Chelsea have also shown interest in Boca Juniors’ left-back Valentin Barco but Manchester City are expected to win that race.

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