The Telegraph's John Percy has dropped a major update on Aston Villa's pursuit of Arsenal starlet Emile Smith Rowe this summer.

What's the story?

According to The Athletic's David Ornstein, Dean Smith's side put in a £25m bid for Smith Rowe, although the bid was officially rejected by the Gunners.

Now, Percy has claimed that Villa have not been put off by Arsenal's initial rejection, with the club now preparing a second bid to try and entice the north Londoners into selling.

It's added that Villa feel a deal is worth exploring, and they envision Smith Rowe as someone who could play alongside the likes of Emi Buendia, Jack Grealish and Ollie Watkins.

Dean Smith will be excited

After news emerged of the first bid for Smith Rowe, The Athletic's Villa correspondent Gregg Evans declared: "Villa’s ambitions are becoming crystal clear. Not only are they showing no signs of slowing down their spending spree under Sawiris and Edens, but they are also looking at ways to weaken clubs who could be direct rivals.

"Bidding for Smith Rowe is the most obvious sign yet of that. But this strategic approach of trying to pick apart big teams is taking Villa to a new level. That they feel Smith Rowe is an achievable target says everything about the way the club are moving forward. The very thought of taking away one of Arsenal’s most exciting young players just a few years ago would have been laughed at.

"Also, while their desires to sign Smith Rowe are real, it’s one thing bidding for him, and another actually landing the attacker. But already, these are starting to feel like exciting times for Villa. They are flexing their muscles in the market and aiming high."

Having seen their initial bid rejected, it would have been very easy for Villa to just walk away, and that first offer would simply have been seen as a bit of posturing.

But going back in for Smith Rowe suggests Villa aren't just having a laugh or a joke here, and seriously consider their interest in the starlet as something that could come to fruition.

It will absolutely delight Smith that the club are showing such ambition in the transfer market, and it bodes well for their future.

Meanwhile, John Percy has dropped a major claim involving Dean Smith...