Arsenal transfer news: Emile Smith Rowe joins RB Leipzig on loan until end of season

No option-to-buy is included in the deal for the 18-year-old

RB Leipzig have confirmed the signing of Arsenal starlet Emile Smith Rowe on a five-month loan deal.

As revealed by The Independent yesterday, the 18-year-old flew to Germany last night with terms already agreed between the two clubs.

Although the Bundesliga side had long held an interest in Smith Rowe, any deal was subject to the Gunners signing Denis Suarez.

With Arsenal out of both domestic cup competitions, playing time in the second half of the season would have been severely limited and Unai Emery gave Smith Rowe his full blessing to leave to get first team minutes.

There is no option-to-buy included in the deal with Smith Rowe seen as a long-term star at Arsenal.

The England U17 World Cup winner scored three times in six appearances but hasn’t featured since late November after suffering a hip injury.

Fellow Arsenal youngster Eddie Nketiah was also set to leave on loan to Germany, but that move has now been cancelled after Arsenal missed out on Ivan Perisic and Yannick Carrasco.