Juventus have now opened fresh talks with Arsenal and the agents of Thomas Partey over a cut-price transfer, despite Mikel Arteta stating his wish to keep the midfielder.
That is according to Calciomercato, which claims that Juventus are revisiting their interest in Partey sealing a transfer from Arsenal. The Bianconeri had moved on from any pursuit of the 30-year-old earlier this summer. But the Serie A side have failed to sign an alternative target.
Juventus ditched their interest in Partey as Arsenal priced the Turin natives out of a transfer. The Ghana international was open to the potential move if the two teams agreed on the fee for his services. He also rejected interest from sides in Saudi Arabia in favour of the transfer.
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Juventus relaunch talks with Arsenal over Partey’s transfer
Arsenal favoured the bids emerging from Saudi Arabia as they far eclipse what Juventus can afford. But Partey rebuffed their advances and may now secure a switch to Turin. The Allianz Stadium side have relaunched their talks with the Premier League team and Partey’s agents.
Representatives working for Juventus have contacted both Arsenal and Partey’s camp over the potential for a cut-price transfer. The Bianconeri are still striving to lowball the Gunners and only want to pay €15m (£13m). But their valuation will not tempt Arsenal to sell Partey.
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A move to Turin is effectively impossible given the seismic differences between Arsenal and Juventus’ valuations of Partey’s transfer. Fabrizio Romano reported in late July that Emirates Stadium chiefs want €40-45m (£34.5-39m). Juventus want to pay a third of their price tag.
What has Arteta said about Partey’s future with the Gunners?
Arsenal could have secured €30m (£26m) from sanctioning Partey’s transfer to Al-Nassr this July, according to CBS Sports. Cristiano Ronaldo’s team, plus Saudi Pro League rivals Al-Ahli and Al-Khaleej, had registered their interest. But Partey never considered their approaches.
It will now take a substantial offer from Juventus for Arsenal to permit Partey any transfer to Turin. Gunners boss Arteta has also gone on record with his desire for Partey to stay in north London beyond the window. He also still envisages a key role for the midfielder next season.
Arteta said, via quotes by the Daily Mail, this July: “Yes [I expect Partey to stay]. Every time I spoke to him, his will is to stay with us.
“There is nothing there at all. Without question, Thomas Partey is a super important player for us and for me. We want him to be in the team, that’s for sure.”