Emile Smith Rowe is set to return to Arsenal this summer, as the Gunners stall on negotiations for a second loan to RB Leipzig next season.

German outlet Bild report that Smith Rowe isn’t set to return to Leipzig for another loan, as the club are no longer seeking to commit the teenager for another season.

At first, Ralf Rangnick was very interested in another loan, and the club wanted to sit down with Arsenal to negotiate a second year in Germany with an option-to-buy. However, Arsenal weren’t interested in that kind of deal, nor in making any rushed decisions over the 18-year-old’s future.

Thanks to injury, Smith Rowe only managed to make three substitute appearances for Leipzig during his loan spell. He clearly impressed the club in training, but they’ll still feel disappointed to have paid Arsenal a €1m loan fee for 30 minutes of competitive football.

It’s definitely a good thing that Arsenal are taking the time to consider their options though. There will surely be other clubs interested in taking the youngster on loan, and Aaron Ramsey’s departure has opened up an opportunity for a young player like Smith Rowe to step up if he stays.

Perhaps it’s for the best if the club wait until after pre-season to make a decision.