Arsenal face some huge contract decisions before the end of the season, with Thomas Partey and Jorginho among those with just a few months remaining at the club.
It comes as the Gunners look to assess the shape of the squad heading into the summer transfer window, including where they can strengthen.
Many are focused on the striker situation at Arsenal and which options they could bring in to help bolster their scoring capability.
Beyond that, Martin Zubimendi is on the radar at Arsenal as one of several midfielders who could join Mikel Arteta’s ranks.
While it is natural to look outwards when it comes to recruitment, the task of looking inwards at keeping the core is important too.
With contract situations for William Saliba and Bukayo Saka ongoing, the futures of Thomas Partey and Jorginho are particularly pressing issues.
Andrea Berta has Thomas Partey and Jorginho contract decisions to make
Arsenal are closing in on Andrea Berta as the next sporting director, with the Italian set to take over as the next permanent option from Edu Gaspar.
As the sporting director, the former Atletico Madrid man will walk into a situation at the Emirates Stadium that could evolve quickly.
It’s clear that a striker is needed after a few transfer windows of putting it off, with the right decision needing to be made quickly.
With that, alongside a possible winger signing and a midfielder arrival, there are also contracts to address.
The most pressing of those will surround Thomas Partey and Jorginho, as the pair are out of contract in the summer.
Arsenal Insider understands that Arsenal are willing to offer Partey a new contract but with a significant wage reduction.
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Both he and Jorginho have been linked with clubs abroad, which could complicate things as pre-contract deals can be signed and agreed now.
It means that, if Berta does decide he wants to keep the midfielders at the Emirates Stadium, he may have to move quickly to get up to speed and get talks underway and sealed.
It’s unclear whether the potential new sporting director will make that decision or not, but the time for decisions is creeping closer.
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Andrea Berta may replace Arsenal midfield with two moves
With both Partey and Jorginho in the latter part of their career, where a decline in performances is expected, Arsenal have a chance to change their midfield ranks.
It comes as little surprise that Martin Zubimendi is a transfer target for the Gunners, while Joshua Kimmich is on the radar at Arsenal.
Both offer perfect replacements for the possible outgoings, with Zubimendi able to bring in the metronomic nature lost by letting Jorginho leave.
As for Kimmich, his ability to play in midfield and at right-back perfectly mimics the versatility of Partey, though with a better injury record and the nature of a serial winner.
It’s unclear if Arsenal will make such moves, but it is a chance for Berta to work with a new canvas.
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