Arsenal might consider a significant transfer offer for Emile Smith Rowe, but West Ham United’s loan bid was always going to be a non-starter, according to a report.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 20: Emile Smith Rowe of Arsenal interacts with teammate Declan Rice during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on January 20, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Emile Smith Rowe of Arsenal interacts with teammate Declan Rice during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on January 20, 2024. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Fabrizio Romano reports that West Ham United made contact over Emile Smith Rowe on Thursday of this week, before making a loan offer to Arsenal on Friday.

Arsenal quickly rejected the bid, with Romano claiming that a big transfer offer might have received a different response, but a loan “made no sense”.

Romano adds that Smith Rowe is happy at Arsenal, and it doesn’t look like West Ham’s interest is going anywhere.

Arsenal's Emile Smith Rowe (L) and Bukayo Saka arrive to attend a team training session at Arsenal's training ground in north London on October 23, 2023, ahead of their UEFA Champions League Group B football match against Sevilla FC. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe (L) and Bukayo Saka arrive to attend a team training session at Arsenal’s training ground in north London on October 23, 2023, ahead of their UEFA Champions League Group B football match against Sevilla FC. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)

A whirlwind transfer saga began on Friday with a report from West Ham insider ExWHUEmployee, who broke the news that the club had made an approach over a loan deal for Smith Rowe.

The Guardian picked up the story, reporting that the Hammers had opened talks and asked Arsenal about Smith Rowe, before Jason Burt of The Telegraph and Alex Crook of talkSPORT confirmed the news.

But just as quickly as the links appeared, they were quickly dismissed.

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND: Emile Smith Rowe of Arsenal in action during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Brentford and Arsenal at Gtech Community Stadium on September 27, 2023. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND: Emile Smith Rowe of Arsenal in action during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Brentford and Arsenal at Gtech Community Stadium on September 27, 2023. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Both ExWHUEmployee and Arsenal insider Team News and Ticks reported that neither the Gunners nor Smith Rowe himself were at all interested in the loan move.

CBS Sports’ James Benge wrote that those close to Smith Rowe claim he’s “all-in” on winning his place back at Arsenal, and he’s never wavered in his belief that he’ll return to the starting lineup when he’s fully fit.

Sky Sports’ Dharmesh Sheth tweeted that several Premier League clubs are interested in Smith Rowe, but he’s focused on fighting for his spot at Arsenal, and he’s not expecting to leave this month.

Smith Rowe was then in action for Arsenal against Crystal Palace on Saturday, coming off the bench in a 5-0 win.