Current Derby County manager and former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has revealed that he tried to sign Arsenal's Emile Smith Rowe on loan.
Speaking as a special guest on Monday Night Football, Rooney was asked if he was a fan of the player and disclosed the revelation in his response. “Yeah I am (a big fan), I think he’s a fantastic young player,” he said.
“He’s actually a player when I first went in as manager at Derby County that I enquired about to try and bring in on loan. It didn’t get close, I enquired and then a week later he was playing in Arsenal's first team.”
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Rooney was unveiled as the Rams' new boss in January of last year whilst the winter transfer window was open. Smith Rowe had been out of first-team action in the run-up to Christmas and only started playing again from Boxing Day, with Mikel Arteta making him a key member of the Arsenal squad.
The 21-year-old has since established himself as one of the most promising young talents in the Premier League, following in the footsteps of club greats such as Dennis Bergkamp with the number ten shirt before earning his first senior England call up in November.
Smith Rowe's rapid rise has led to him enjoying his strongest season in an Arsenal shirt yet, scoring ten goals and providing two assists in 28 appearances so far. Despite Martin Odegaard's arrival, his versatility and talent have meant that he has remained a crucial member of the team, often playing ahead of Nicolas Pepe and Gabriel Martinelli.
Prior to signing a new deal, Smith Rowe was the subject of two bids from Aston Villa in the summer, both of which were swiftly rejected. But his development along with Arteta's trust will no doubt relieve Arsenal fans following Wayne Rooney's admission.
