Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe has emerged as an unexpected target for Chelsea, just three days before the closure of the 2023/24 summer transfer window, which is set for Friday, September 1, 2023.

The talented attacking midfielder has been singled out as a prime acquisition in Chelsea’s somewhat nebulous strategy of assembling a cohort of skilled footballers under 24 years of age, a blueprint that some refer to as their “future building” plan.

Although Smith Rowe has yet to see a minute of action in the Premier League this season, this circumstance has only fueled speculations regarding his prospects at the Emirates Stadium, where he made his breakthrough into the first team a few years ago.

Despite being relegated to the bench and experiencing sporadic playing time, the club’s leadership, spearheaded by head coach Mikel Arteta, holds the 23-year-old in high regard, deeming him indispensable to their long-term vision, at least based on their public statements.

Arteta, however, conceded that Smith Rowe must demonstrate his readiness for a consistent first-team role.

The 41-year-old Spanish manager has already provided his stance on the midfielder’s situation, despite Chelsea’s mounting interest in prizing him away from the Community Shield champions.

“He understands the depth of our affection for him, just as we grasp the extent of his absence and the significance of his attributes,” Arteta remarked about Smith Rowe in March 2023.

With the England international peripherally involved at Arsenal and Chelsea displaying an insatiable appetite for grabbing talents below the age of 24, Chelsea’s co-owner Todd Boehly is resolute in his pursuit of securing Smith Rowe from their cross-city rivals.

The imminent closure of the transfer window has left Chelsea’s head coach, Mauricio Pochettino, still scouring the market in search of reinforcements for his offensive unit.

In addition to Smith Rowe, Chelsea is also resolute in their efforts to secure the services of the Barcelona duo, Raphinha and Ferran Torres, both of whom have witnessed a diminution in their roles at Camp Nou.

The Blues have already invested a substantial sum of £350 million in new signings during this window, successfully acquiring a pool of exceptional talents including Moises Caicedo, Nicholas Jackson, Lesley Ugochukwu, and Robert Sanchez, among others.