Football Presse

Chelsea and Villa eye Bologna's Rowe but Arsenal hint hidden in social media post

ยทBy Paul Lindisfarne
Share
Chelsea and Villa eye Bologna's Rowe but Arsenal hint hidden in social media post

Arsenal/X.com

Bologna are bracing for Premier League interest in winger Jonathan Rowe after the 23-year-old's breakthrough Italian season attracted concrete scouting from Chelsea and Aston Villa.

An Instagram post by the London-born forward is further fuelling speculation that Arsenal may also be in the picture.

Rowe, who joined Bologna from Olympique Marseille in circumstances after a furious clash with then-teammate Adrien Rabiot, scored eight goals and contributed five assists in 43 appearances across all competitions. The club regard him as one of their standout performers of the season and are setting a baseline valuation of approximately โ‚ฌ45-50m.

Chelsea and Villa have begun making inquiries, though no formal bid has arrived. QS reports that Rowe has recently published a photograph on Instagram showing a companion holding an Arsenal shirt โ€” an apparently small detail that has caught the attention of supporters and journalists alike, given that the player grew up in London close to Wembley.

The Arsenal connection carries additional logic. The club's recruitment team has been tracking Rowe's development throughout the season, and his profile โ€” a direct, technically assured winger capable of operating on either flank โ€” fits what Mikel Arteta is seeking as he rebuilds his attacking options following the Champions League final defeat.

Whether the Instagram post was deliberate or incidental, it has done nothing to diminish interest in a player whose summer is likely to attract considerably more attention before it is resolved.