Arsenal
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal are at risk of losing Thomas Partey on a free transfer next summer, with the midfielder’s contract set to expire at the end of the season. The 31-year-old Ghana international will be free to negotiate with other clubs from January 1, and there has been little progress on a new deal despite his resurgence as a key player this season.
Partey joined Arsenal from Atlético Madrid in 2020 after the Gunners activated his £45 million release clause. Since then, he has made 136 appearances, scoring seven goals and providing five assists. Despite his contributions, his five-year deal has yet to be extended.
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The Ghanaian has made 21 appearances across all competitions, excelling both in his usual midfield role and as a makeshift right-back. His contributions include two goals and one assist. Arteta has praised Partey for his “consistency at the highest level” and stated that contract talks would happen at “the right time.” However, negotiations have reportedly reached a stalemate.
Thomas Partey
Thomas Partey (Image credit: Getty Images)
The situation is complicated by past interest from Saudi Pro League clubs, with Arsenal previously open to offers for Partey two summers ago. However, no deal materialised, and the midfielder has since dealt with fitness issues that limited his availability last season. After being a pivotal part of Arsenal’s title challenge in the 2022/23 campaign, Partey missed significant stretches of last season due to injury.
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This season, however, Partey has regained form and fitness, leaving him at a crossroads regarding his future. Arsenal’s reluctance to lose him in January is understandable, but failure to agree on a contract extension risks a free transfer next summer.
Arsenal’s midfield is evolving, with summer signing Mikel Merino emerging as a potential long-term option alongside Declan Rice and Ødegaard. However, Partey’s situation has attracted interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia and across Europe, keeping Arsenal under pressure to resolve his future quickly.
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