One Arsenal player has begun talks over personal terms with owners of foreign clubs ahead of a potential move this summer.
Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar are hard at work behind the scenes at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners have readied plans for this summer’s transfer window, and a lot of movement is expected in the coming weeks.
All the excitement will be on new signings, but quite a few Arsenal players could be shown the door too because they are surplus to requirements.
Reports have claimed that Arsenal have placed 10 players on the ‘chopping block’ in this window.
Here’s an update on one of them.
Thomas Partey begins talks to leave Arsenal
Thomas Partey had a really frustrating 2023/24 season at Arsenal.
The Ghana international was one of the Gunners’ best players in the previous campaign, but he missed most of last season due to an injury.
Partey played less than 900 minutes of football in all competitions last season, and there is now a big chance he will leave the club this summer, when he enters the final year of his contract in July.
Reports have revealed that Turkish giants Galatasaray are interested in signing Partey this summer, while their rivals Fenerbahce are also said to be considering a move.
However, one of the wealthiest owners in the world has started talks to stop Partey from moving to the Turkish Super Lague this summer.
TeamTalk reveal that PIF, who are the majority owners of Newcastle United, are keen to bring Partey to Saudi Arabia, where they own four of the country’s biggest clubs – Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli, Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal.
The report claims that PIF have started talks over personal terms with Partey. They want to reach an agreement on his wages and other contract terms before they approach Arsenal with a bid.
Partey, who turned 31 earlier in June, was of interest to Saudi clubs last year too, but a move this summer looks far more likely.
The report adds that he has ‘shown a desire to begin a new experience elsewhere’ and is ‘open to proposals’.
Arsenal enquire about signing potential Partey replacement
Arsenal are expected to sell Partey this summer.
The 31-year-old, who joined the Gunners for £45 million in 2020 (BBC), is a magnificent footballer, but his injury record at Arsenal is awful. That makes him unreliable and with just a year left on his deal, a move away is the best thing for all parties involved.
If Partey is sold, Arsenal will have just Jorginho and Declan Rice in the middle of the park. Mohamed Elneny has left the club, while Albert Sambi Lokonga has said he wants to leave too.
Arsenal desperately need to reinforce their midfield, and reports have claimed that the Gunners have enquired about signing Amadou Onana from Everton.
The Belgian is a phenomenal player. He is strong, fast, good in duels and already has Premier League experience under his belt. The fact that he is still only 22 means he will only get better in the coming years.
In our opinion, Onana would be an excellent replacement for Partey at Arsenal, and at £50 million (Liverpool Echo), he could prove to be a bargain.
