One Arsenal player has decided he wants to leave the club in the summer transfer window.
The Gunners’ full focus is on the Premier League title race at the moment. They are praying for Manchester City to slip up – if they do and Arsenal win their remaining games, Mikel Arteta’s side will be the champions.
Irrespective of what happens, Arsenal will be busy in the transfer market this summer. All eyes will be on incomings, but there are a few players who could leave the Emirates too.
Thomas Partey makes decision on his Arsenal future
Thomas Partey has had a really difficult season at Arsenal.
The Ghana international, who joined the Gunners for £45 million in 2020 (BBC), is one of the best midfielders in the world. He played a massive part in Arsenal’s attempt to win the Premier League last season.
Darren Bent claimed he was even better than Declan Rice in 2022/23.
However, this season, Partey has been limited to just seven starts in the Premier League, four of which have come since April this year.
The 30-year-old will enter the final year of his contract in July. Arsenal will have to extend his deal if they plan on keeping hold of him.
However, if a report is to be believed, the Gunners number five has other ideas.
Aspor claim that Partey wants to leave Arsenal once the summer transfer window opens, bringing an end to his four-year stay at the Emirates.
The report reveals that Turkish champions Galatasaray wanted to sign Partey in the summer of 2023 but a deal didn’t materialise then.
Galatasaray want to try their luck again this summer and are hoping to sign the midfielder for a reasonable fee as he enters the final year of his contract.
READ MORE: Mikel Arteta shares how Thomas Partey has been in Arsenal training
Three reasons why Arsenal could consider selling Partey
When Thomas Partey is fit, he is one of Arsenal’s best players.
The Ghanaian has been brilliant for the Gunners in each of the last three games he has started – against Bournemouth, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.
He really is a fantastic player, but Arsenal could consider selling him for three reasons:
- Transfer fee: Partey will have just one year left on his contract in July. If Arsenal keep hold of him and he doesn’t sign a new deal, they will be at risk of losing him for free next year. That will cost them millions.
- Wages: Partey is one of Arsenal’s highest-paid players. He earns an eye-watering £200,000-a-week (Spotrac). Selling him will reduce the Gunners’ wage bill considerably and will help them free up funds for new signings.
- Unreliable: Injuries have really troubled Partey since he joined Arsenal. The midfielder has missed over 70 games due to fitness issues since November 2020. As good as he is, injuries make him unreliable.