Arsenal may be about to seriously enter the market for Thomas Partey's replacement, with the 32-year-old reliably believed to be on the verge of leaving following difficult talks over a new deal at the Emirates.
Partey is fresh off the back of his best-ever Arsenal campaign, making over 50 appearances in all competitions and staying relatively injury-free in comparison to previous seasons.
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He's got his eyes on a move to north London.
The Ghanaian was regularly linked with a move to Turkey or Saudi Arabia, prior to his newly-found first-team status last season, with Partey enjoying an excellent last 10 months. He starred under Mikel Arteta as one of the Spaniard's generals in midfield, and as an emergency right-back when required, motivating Gunners chiefs to open talks over a fresh contract with his current terms due to expire on June 30.
partey-arsenal
However, those discussions have now hit a standstill, and there is a "concrete" possibility that Partey will call time on his five-year stay in north London sooner rather than later (Fabrizio Romano).
Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi has "completed" his paperwork and will soon be unveiled as a new Arsenal player, but Partey's potentially imminent departure has suddenly elevated the need for another defensive midfielder to support Declan Rice.
Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports) Money on new signings
--- ---
19/20 - winter £0
20/21 - summer £81.5m
20/21 - winter £900k
21/22 - summer £156.8m
21/22 - winter £1.8m
22/23 - summer £121.5m
22/23 - winter £59m
23/24 - summer £208m
23/24 - winter £0
24/25 - summer £101.5m
24/25 - winter £0
Sporting director Andrea Berta hasn't got limitless cash to spend, especially amid his pursuit of a new winger and striker, so Arsenal will need to operate cleverly here.
Arsenal hold talks with Sevilla midfielder Lucien Agoume
As per TEAMtalk, echoing other reports, Sevilla midfielder Lucien Agoume is firmly on the agenda as a possible solution.
lucien-agoume-sevilla-la-liga
The 23-year-old Frenchman was an impressive mainstay towards the back end of 2024/2025, starting all nine of Sevilla's final La Liga matches and standing out as a shining light amid an otherwise uninspiring run of form for the team overall.
Agoume got on the scoresheet against Atlético Madrid and registered three assists in that run of games, with Arsenal taking note of his exploits. As per TT and journalist Fraser Fletcher, Arsenal have held preliminary talks with Agoume's camp, emerging as frontrunners for the 23-year-old's signature despite interest from Man United and rivals Tottenham.
The move is being driven by Arteta, who apparently wants a long-term new midfield addition. They've scouted Agoume on many occasions too, identifying him as a candidate to replace Partey in the engine room, and it is believed he'd cost just £20 million.
“I know Agoume because I watch a lot of football,” said ex-Sevilla boss Enrique Sanchez Flores, after Agoume initially joined them on loan in January last year.
“Lucien is ready, he has an extraordinary physique and a magnificent physical condition."