Arsenal youngster Emile Smith-Rowe has rejected offers from both Barcelona and north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in order to sign a professional contract with the club, according to Squawka.
YouTube: Shoot Skills – Arsenal’s Emile Smith-Rowe
The 15-year-old winger has proven himself a highly sought after starlet, with Luis Enrique’s scouts watching and being impressed by him at the Nike International Tournament last December.
Spurs also expressed an interest in the England under-16 star but it’s believed that Arsenal persuaded him to reject Mauricio Pochettino’s side in favour of agreeing professional terms at the Emirates.
Smith-Rowe joined Arsenal shortly before he turned 10-years-old and has featured for the under-18’s, as well as the under-16’s regularly.
The 15-year-old became the first player in the club’s history to feature for the under-18’s who was born since the new millennium.
Twitter: EXCLUSIVE: Emile Smith-Rowe rejected Barcelona & Spurs to sign for Arsenal. By @gstobart – https://t.co/x3xX2uFXrw https://t.co/3PdM6FjAiv (@SquawkaNews)
The opportunity to train under the tutelage of the likes of Arsenal legends Thierry Henry and Freddie Ljungberg would certainly have carried some weight in the persuasion to remain at the club.
