In what has been a fairly long and drawn out saga, it appears as if Thomas Partey is set to leave Arsenal as a free agent.
Thomas Partey joined Arsenal back in 2020 and was arguably the first significant signing of the Edu Gaspar and Mikel Arteta era.
To date, Partey has played 167 games for the Gunners, and 52 of those appearances actually came last season when the midfielder delivered a surprisingly injury-free campaign.
However, the 32-year-old could still be set to leave north London in around two weeks’ time, when he will then be free to sign for any side as a free agent.
Of course, if Arteta does lose Partey then he will have a sizable hole in his midfield, even if Arsenal are set to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.
Arsenal need to keep Albert Sambi Lokonga after Thomas Partey nears exit
That being said, journalist Fabrizio Romano has now shared an update on X suggesting that Partey is likely to leave in the coming days.
And as a result, it might be time for Arsenal to change their plans for Albert Sambi Lokonga.
🚨🔴⚪️ Negotiations between Arsenal and Thomas Partey over new deal are not advancing.
No agreement so far and now concrete chances to part ways in the upcoming days.
Thomas would be available as free agent. pic.twitter.com/4AfD8rUjgi
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 19, 2025
View Tweet
25-year-old Lokonga joined Arsenal for £17m one year after Partey in 2021, a midfielder who was meant to learn from the former Atletico Madrid star in the middle.
However, Lokonga struggled to ever quite live up to the billing at the Emirates, explaining why he’s gone on loan to Crystal Palace, Luton Town and even Sevilla in La Liga last season.
As things stand, it’s reported that Arsenal plan to sell Lokonga if possible this summer, a player who is somewhat surplus to requirements.
Albert Sambi Lokonga warms up for Sevilla.
Photo By Dennis Agyeman/Europa Press via Getty Images
However, if Partey is leaving, Lokonga is definitely a player who Arsenal should keep around.
Berta needs to focus the club’s spending on attacking recruitment this summer — Arsenal want to buy Benjamin Sesko for example.
And whilst Lokonga might not be up to the standards of Partey or Zubimendi, he could provide valuable squad depth.
READ MORE: £80m striker is now telling his friends and family that he expects to join Arsenal this summer
Lokonga has admitted that his future is ‘very open’
Lokonga currently has one year left on his Arsenal contract, and although the Gunners might be able to fetch a small fee for the midfielder this summer, they’d be better served keeping him on their books.
Declan Rice can provide back-up to Zubimendi in the number six role when needed, and Lokonga can step in when both need a rest.
It’s not an ideal scenario, but it would avoid spending another £50m on Partey replacement, money that would be better-served contributing towards a striker or a winger.
That being said, Lokonga did recently comment on his own future in an interview with Standard Sport.
And whilst the midfielder seemingly wants to find a new permanent home, Arsenal should try and get him back on board for one more season at least.
Asked about his situation, Lokonga said: “So the situation is really, really open, to talk about my future… I can’t say anything, because I really don’t know where I will end up.
“I can’t say it’s tough, because I still have one year on my contract, but it is true that as a player you want to know where you will end up or where you will stay.
“For me, I really don’t know what is going to happen – but what I know for sure is I need stability. I need a club where I can stay for two or three years, to play and develop again.”