Arsenal could be set to part ways with Thomas Partey this summer, as contract talks between the club and the Ghanaian midfielder have reportedly hit a roadblock. The 31-year-old’s current deal is expiring, and according to reports, both sides are at an impasse over the financial terms of a possible renewal.
Partey, who joined the Gunners from Atlético Madrid in 2020 after Arsenal triggered his £45 million release clause, has had an injury-hit yet influential spell in North London. When fit, he has been a key figure in Mikel Arteta’s midfield, offering both defensive solidity and ball progression. However, ongoing fitness concerns and age are said to be factors influencing Arsenal’s stance during negotiations.
The club is believed to be willing to offer Partey a short-term extension — but only on his current wages. Partey, however, is seeking a pay rise in what would likely be his final major contract. With neither side backing down, the possibility of his departure is now growing significantly.
For Arsenal, this situation presents both risk and opportunity. While Partey’s technical qualities, positional discipline, and experience are valuable, his fitness record has been inconsistent. In the 2023/24 season, Partey spent large stretches on the sidelines, only returning in the latter stages of the campaign to make a meaningful impact.
Sporting director Andrea Berta and manager Mikel Arteta are believed to be weighing their options carefully. Arsenal have already made midfield additions in recent transfer windows, and with Martin Zubimendi arriving this summer and Jorginho also contributing leadership and depth, the club may feel the time is right to transition away from Partey.
Arsenal’s midfield strategy is clear: build a dynamic, athletic core around Declan Rice, who has become the heartbeat of the team. With Zubimendi set to slot into a key role and Mikel Merino also in the mix, Arsenal could well have the cover needed to cope with Partey’s potential departure.
However, fans may be divided. Partey’s performances when fully fit have been elite — his ability to dictate play, protect the backline, and transition the ball quickly is something few midfielders in Europe do as effectively. Letting him go for free without a clear replacement could be viewed as a gamble, particularly in a season where Arsenal will once again compete on multiple fronts.
Partey himself must now decide whether to accept Arsenal’s terms and remain part of an ambitious project under Arteta, or seek a new challenge — possibly in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, or Italy, where interest has reportedly emerged.
As things stand, the smart money is on an exit. Unless there’s a dramatic shift in talks, Thomas Partey’s time at Arsenal may come to an end this summer — quietly and unceremoniously, but with a legacy of helping elevate Arsenal back to the elite level in English and European football.