Aston Villa are preparing a third bid for Emile Smith Rowe, after two failed offers and amid Arsenal’s attempts to get him to extend.

The Daily Mail report that Aston Villa are preparing a third bid for Emile Smith Rowe after their latest £30m offer was turned down by the Gunners. There’s no word from the Mail on the exact size of the bid, but Villa evidently still haven’t given up yet.

The Mirror have also reported that Villa are planning to return with a third bid, with the suggestion it would be around £32.5m.

The Athletic claim Aston Villa’s transfer priority remains a number 10, and Smith Rowe is their top target in that department. The 20-year-old is reportedly the pick of the bunch when it comes to further additions.

But as we’ve mentioned before, a bid in the £30-40m range is unlikely to cut it. Sources suggest Arsenal want more than triple Villa’s opening bid of £25m, so an offer of £32.5m isn’t even reaching the halfway mark.

That could always change if Smith Rowe’s contract talks go south and Arsenal realise they’re likely to lose a lot of value running down his deal. There’s little suggestion that’s going to happen right now.