Emery’s side alongside Newcastle United are reportedly keen to sign the out-of-favour midfielder this summer, should Arsenal make him available for transfer after a slow season at the Emirates under Mikel Arteta [Football Insider, 17 February].
The 23-year-old has been impressive since breaking into the Gunners’ first team but has struggled with fitness issues and injuries this season which have limited him to just two starts in the Premier League where has only managed a single assist.
While Hutton admits that Smith Rowe’s injury record could stop Villa from pushing for his signature this summer, he does believe the England international could make Emery’s side better if he can get back to his best.
“I think there will be a big question mark there,” Hutton told Villa News.
“There’s no getting away from the fact that he has been hampered by injuries in his career so far. It will come down to money I think.
“If we’re talking big money, it’s a huge gamble with his injury record but there’s no getting away from the fact that if he comes in and hits the ground running and is the player that we all saw break into the Arsenal team, he can make things really good.
“You have to weigh up the situation as again it will come down to money and different targets and who else they’re looking at. Then they’ll pick the best from that.”
Will Arsenal sell Emile Smith Rowe in the summer transfer window amid Aston Villa and Newcastle interest?
Villa have already been linked with several different players ahead of the summer transfer window, but no one is yet sure how much money Emery will have to spend and where he’ll look to improve his squad ahead of pre-seasonIf fit Smith-Rowe could add a different dimension to the Spanish manager’s midfield, but he hasn’t managed to stay on the grass long enough throughout this season to justify a big price tag in the transfer window.
With Morgan Rogers joining the ranks at Villa Park and Emi Buendia expected to return from injury ahead of next season, Emery may be better off spending his money elsewhere on more pressing areas of his playing squad.
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