Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey could still leave the Emirates Stadium this summer.
With only a few days of the English transfer window remaining, reporter Yakup Cinar has stated that there may still be a move on the cards for Thomas Partey, with the Arsenal star open to a switch to Galatasaray.
There has not yet been a formal approach to Arsenal from the Turkish club, and what they would be willing to offer for Partey remains to be seen.
Whilst Partey himself might be keen on joining the Turkish outfit, it’s hard to imagine that Mikel Arteta would sanction the player’s departure at this stage. There is such little time for the Gunners to source a replacement, and Partey still has a key role to play for the north London club.
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With the summer sale of Granit Xhaka, and acquisitions of Kai Havertz and Declan Rice, there has already been lots of recent upheaval in the middle of the park for Arsenal. Whilst he has been deployed so far this season as an inverted right-back, Partey’s presence still offers some stability and familiarity in that central part of the pitch.
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Arsenal determined to keep Partey
Arteta has been clear that the 30-year-old is in his plans. The Spanish coach said in pre-season that, “without a question of a doubt, Thomas Partey is a super important player for us and for me. I want him to be in the team. Every time I spoke to him and every time I have a conversation with him, his will is to stay with us. For me, there’s nothing there at all.”
If a huge offer for Partey, who Arsenal paid £45 million to sign in 2020, were to come in before the transfer deadline passes, then the club may be forced to consider it. The Gunners spent heavily on Rice, Havertz, and Jurrien Timber this summer, and have to offset those costs somehow. However, it would have to be a truly enormous bid to seriously test their resolve.
Arsenal aren’t yet ready to be without Partey. His experience and quality will be invaluable this season, especially against top teams who will really try and attack Arsenal. The Ghanaian’s ability to break up play and win back possession will be vital then.