Arsenal are looking at a number of transfer options should Thomas Partey depart the club.
Partey’s contract talks have hit a stalemate after it was revealed that the Ghanaian midfielder wants an increase in wages – something the Gunners are sceptical about granting.
Martin Zubimendi is in London preparing for his medical and final formalities however, with Jorginho also leaving for Flamengo, Mikel Arteta is now in need of further central midfield options.
Arsenal are interested in Warren Zaire-Emery from Champions League holders PSG and Arsenal Insider has assessed the potential impact the signing would have on the current squad.
Winners from Warren Zaire-Emery’s transfer to Arsenal
Martin Zubimendi
There is a lot of pressure on Zubimendi to come straight into the Arsenal side and deliver performances good enough to guide the club to a trophy.
Zubimendi will have pre-season to acclimatise to life in North London but then will be at the base of the midfield for the Premier League season opener at Old Trafford.
English football can take some adapting to and with the potential arrival of Zaire-Emery alongside the Spanish international, Arteta can give his new acquisition some breathing space in a hectic schedule.
Jurrien Timber’s revelation on Arteta was that the Gunners’ boss asked him to play through the pain barrier last season and with Zaire-Emery, Arsenal would have enough options to rotate their line-up and avoid a repeat scenario.
Declan Rice
The Champions League clash with Zaire-Emery’s current side PSG at the Emirates Stadium showed exactly why the young French international’s arrival at the Gunners would be good news for Declan Rice.
Rice was asked to play as the number six and looked shackled and frustrated in the position as his influence on Arteta’s side has grown in a more advanced role.
The England midfielder had his best ever campaign in terms of goal contributions and will be looking to break that next season.
If Zaire-Emery arrives and provides competition for Zubimendi, Rice can relax knowing that he won’t be asked to drop deep and play the holding role unless in unforeseen circumstances.
Losers from Warren Zaire-Emery’s transfer to Arsenal
Mikel Merino
Mikel Merino became a revelation for Arsenal last season in a ‘false nine’ role after injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus left the Gunners without a recognised striker.
However, the Spaniard was signed as a robust central midfielder, ready to win duels in the centre of the park and take control of games for the Gunners.
Partey’s departure should be seen as an opportunity for Merino to continue his excellent relationship with Zubimendi but Zaire-Emery could prevent that plan.
Merino would be questioning where he stands in the Arsenal pecking order if the 19-year-old were to make the move to the Premier League.
Lucien Agoume
Arsenal are interested in Lucien Agoume as part of their plan to bolster the squad should Partey decide to move on.
The Sevilla midfielder has impressed in La Liga and is known for his athleticism and intelligence sitting in front of the defence.
Any Arsenal move for Zaire-Emery would surely end Agoume’s chances of joining the Gunners as Andrea Berta is desperate to improve attacking areas of the squad.
Arsenal’s £200m transfer budget would not stretch to adding three central midfielders, as well as the world-class striker and winger they are chasing.
Thomas Partey
Arsenal wanted a quick resolution with Partey and the longer his contract saga drags on, the less likely he will be wearing the red and white shirt next season.
Partey has just enjoyed his best season at the Gunners and forced the club to change their plans surrounding the 31-year-old midfielder.
However, it looks as though he is set to move away from North London and with the club on the verge of tasting a major trophy, it will be a real shame that Partey will not be involved with that.
He has been a player that has been through the whole transformation under Arteta and contributed a lot during his career at Arsenal. It will be a sad end.
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