RB Leipzig head coach Ralf Rangnick has confirmed the club would be interested in extending Emile Smith Rowe’s loan from Arsenal. England Under-19 international Smith Rowe moved to the Red Bull Arena in January on a loan deal that runs until the end of the season, but he has been restricted to just two minutes of first-team action during his time in the Bundesliga due to an ongoing groin injury.
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Nevertheless, Smith Rowe’s attitude and performances in training have impressed Rangnick and he has confirmed that Leipzig would be keen to welcome the 18-year-old back for another loan spell next season. “We had two representatives from Arsenal here,” Rangnick said after Leipzig’s 3-3 draw with Mainz in the Bundesliga on Friday.
“They observed training and also talked to Emile. In conversation with them, we have already put forward that we are interested in another loan.” However, with Rangnick due to be replaced by Julian Nagelsmann as Leipzig manager in the summer, there are no guarantees that Smith Rowe will return to the club, while the midfielder could also figure in Arsenal’s plans as he featured six times across all competitions for the Gunners during the first half of this season.
