According to reports, Arsenal have so far shown no signs of urgency in regards to Thomas Partey's expiring contract.
The Ghanaian international joined the club from Atletico Madrid in 2020 but has spent a bulk of his time in north London on the sidelines. Partey's missed 81 games for club and country over the past four years, but he rediscovered his rhythm at the start of the 2024/25 campaign.
Mikel Arteta has persistently stuck by the 31-year-old, re-iterating the midfielder's importance to his project. Partey has started all but two of Arsenal's Premier League and Champions League games this season, with his performances over the autumn particularly impressive.
He's played like a man keen to extend his contract with the Gunners, but there's so far been no movement on that front. Partey's current deal expires next summer.
🚨 Arsenal have no major urgency and have made no significant progress on a new contract for Thomas Partey. ✍️❌
Arsenal are in the market for a new midfielder, which indicates the Ghanaian could leave the club in the summer. 😬👋
[@SamiMokbel81_DM] pic.twitter.com/10SsbobQJK
— DailyAFC (@DailyAFC) December 12, 2024
Arteta has previously said the club will discuss Partey's contract at the "right time" and has hinted he'd be open to the 31-year-old continuing his stay in north London.
On the contrary, Daily Mail's Sami Mokbel (via Daily AFC) reports that the club are yet to make any significant progress with Partey over a new deal.
Mokbel's report adds that Arsenal will be in the market for a new midfielder next year, suggesting that Partey could be allowed to walk. However, the club will also require a replacement for Jorginho, whose contract expires in 2025 after extending his deal earlier this year.
Partey has doubtlessly manifested his value to the Gunners this season, and he's a player Arteta clearly still trusts. While the bulk of his minutes have arrived at the base of midfield, the Ghanaian's also offered competence when asked to fill in at right-back. Given the manager's admiration, it'd be a surprise if Arsenal allowed Partey to walk for nothing next summer. He can, of course, start talking to clubs over a potential free transfer from 1 Janaury 2025.
However, I also understand the club's reported lack of urgency and potential hesitance. Partey, given his age and injury history, is not a player Arsenal can commit to long-term. If a contract offer does arrive, it surely won't be longer than a two-year deal.
The midfielder's form this season means he won't have a shortage of offers in the new year. There have previously been links to the likes of Barcelona and Juventus, while a lucrative move to the Middle East shouldn't be ruled out.
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