Arsenal remain in the race to secure Thomas Partey’s future, but the player is still talking to other clubs, Arsenal Insider understands.
Partey enjoyed his most injury-free season yet at Arsenal in 2024/25, featuring in 35 of the Gunners’ Premier League matches.
With his contract set to expire at the end of June, many clubs have expressed interest in signing the Ghanaian, including Barcelona.
However, Arsenal offered Partey a new contract back in May, and it was expected that this would mean that he’d remain in North London.
That said, he’s yet to accept a contract offer from anywhere, not yet deciding upon his future.
Thomas Partey is still talking to other clubs
It was initially believed that Arsenal would let Partey leave when his contract expires this summer, although the Gunners changed their minds on this shortly before the conclusion of the season.
Impressed by his durability, the North London club decided they’d be better off with the 31-year-old in their squad next season.
Arteta publicly revealed that he wants Partey to stay, and a contract proposal swiftly followed this.
However, reports emerged last week suggesting that Partey was unhappy with the offer made to him, feeling it didn’t reflect his standing within the squad.
Transfer expert Graeme Bailey has now told Arsenal Insider that the midfielder has always been talking to other clubs and that the offer from the Gunners is merely one of a number of proposals that he’s received that he’s considering.
“Arsenal never presumed that it was a done deal or anything, and Partey always made it clear he was talking to other parties all along,” he said.
“Arsenal knew that, and I don’t think the deal has suddenly stopped or there’ve been sudden hurdles.
“He’s been talking to Barcelona and other clubs as well throughout this process. Basically, I think the way Arsenal fans should look at Partey now is that he’s a free agent and Arsenal are just one of the teams with their hat in the ring.
“Because they don’t know what’s going to happen with Partey, clearly they haven’t got anyone else lined up. Pablo Barrios was one, but he’s staying at Atletico Madrid. Of course, there are other options out there for them, but they’re not necessarily the priority at this moment in time.”
Arsenal shouldn’t renew Thomas Partey’s contract
Martin Zubimendi is expected to sign for Arsenal for £51 million, while Jorginho has joined Flamengo.
This gives the Gunners the opportunity to rebuild and freshen up their midfield, and this should mean Partey departs N5 with Jorginho.
Zubimendi will expect to play regularly at the Emirates, while Partey would be on a wage that is reflective of a prominent member in the squad.
Thus, if he stays, Arsenal would be paying him to essentially play a bit-part role, which is a poor use of resources.
That’s not to mention that his performances have already started to decline, and he became more error-prone as the 2024/25 season went on.
It’s a no-brainer for the Arsenal hierarchy.
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