Mikel Arteta Thomas Partey Arsenal
(Credit: Imago, Getty Images)
Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent
Sun 25 May 2025 9:55, UK
Mikel Arteta has “growing optimism” that Thomas Partey will sign a new contract to remain an Arsenal player next season, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed what his sources have told him about Arsenal’s contract talks with the Ghanaian.
Partey is arguably the highest-profile Gunners player out of contract with Jorginho and Kieran Tierney set to leave the Emirates this summer, yet Arteta has made no secret of his desire to keep the midfielder.
Sources have told Football Insider that Arteta wants Partey to stay put with Arsenal as optimism grows that he’ll sign a new deal, and the length of that new contract is the likeliest cause for the current delay.
Football Insider revealed on 3 May that Arsenal had re-opened “last ditch” talks with Partey amid fears they could be left short in defensive midfield, and confidence is now high that he will pen a new contract.
Interest in Partey has been widespread and sources have told Football Insider that a potential return to Atletico Madrid could be on the cards, as could a move to one of several clubs in the Saudi Pro League.
Thomas Partey Arsenal
Partey has made 51 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal this season (Credit: Imago)
MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES
Partey contract talks spark ‘confidence’ at Arsenal
Football Insider revealed last month that Arsenal had expected both Jorginho and Partey to complete moves away this summer, but Arteta has since undergone a sea-change in his attitude towards the latter.
Speaking on the new Inside Track, O’Rourke said that Arsenal are increasingly confident that Partey will stay put at the Emirates beyond this season, but the 31-year-old has no shortage of offers elsewhere.
“There’s growing optimism that a deal can be reached to see Partey remain at the Emirates”, he told Football Insider.
“[Arteta] has come out and said that the Ghana International has been one of the best players for Arsenal this season, so he really wants him to stay at the club.
“It’ll probably be about the length of the contract… but there is confidence that Thomas Partey will remain at Arsenal.
“There is some interest elsewhere obviously, because if he does become available as a free agent there’ll be a lot of takers for Thomas Partey.
“There’s been talk that Atletico Madrid are interested, as well as a number of clubs in Saudi Arabia… I would expect there’s confidence that they can get that deal done.”
Arsenal
Arsenal had lined up Joshua Kimmich as Partey’s replacement (Credit: Breaking Media, Hasan Karim)
Arsenal to overhaul midfield with or without Partey
Until very recently, the expectation at the Emirates had been that Partey and Jorginho would move on this summer, with ambitious moves for the likes of Joshua Kimmich lined up to succeed them in midfield.
Man United’s former chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider last month that Arsenal wanted a “world-class” replacement for Partey this summer, with Martin Zubimendi now their number one target.
Zubimendi could still be brought through the doors if Partey stays put at the Emirates, but with Arsenal also keen on a surprise move for Morgan Gibbs-White, it’s clear that Arsenal plans to attack the Premier League with a revamped Gunners midfield next season.
Related Posts