Clubs from Saudi Arabia now want ‘world-class’ Arsenal man as price tag revealed

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Two Saudi Arabian clubs have now been linked with a January switch for Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey.

According to Tuttojuve, Al-Ettifaq and Al-Ahli are keen to secure the services of Thomas Partey in the upcoming January transfer window, with Arsenal thought to want around £35 million in exchange for the 30-year-old. 

There was also interest from Saudi Arabian clubs in the recent summer transfer window, but the Gunners opted to keep the player on that occasion. 

If a decent offer for the Ghanaian should materialise this winter, though, then the north London club would be wise to accept it, assuming they are able to source a replacement for him in the middle of the park.

The time has very much come for Arsenal to move on from Partey. His persistent injury issues have made him, and his £200,000-a-week wages, a burden on the club. Mikel Arteta simply cannot rely on him to be fully fit and available when required. 

Fitness issues have been a consistent menace to Partey’s career since his £45 million arrival at the Emirates Stadium from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2020. His layoffs are now recurring more frequently than ever, though.

So far this season, the 47-cap Ghana international has managed just four Premier League appearances, and hasn’t featured at all since his cameo off the bench against Manchester City in early October.

Selling Thomas Partey a part of midfield rebuild at Arsenal

There can be no denying Partey’s quality. He is an elite-level player. Former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell even previously labelled him “world class.” However, his talent is useless if he is perennially stuck on the treatment table.

Arsenal are currently eyeing up potential midfield targets to bring in in January. Both Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz and Ruben Neves, who is currently plying his trade in Saudi Arabia, are said to be on sporting director Edu’s shortlist. 

The Gunners won’t have a large budget available to them heading into the winter window. As such, sales will be required in order to fund any major deals. Offloading Partey could go a long way towards paying for his replacement to come into the club. 

Arsenal need to start restructuring their midfield contingent with the long-term in mind. As things stand, only Declan Rice represents the future of the club in that part of the pitch, as both Jorginho and Mohamed Elneny are coming to the end of their playing days. Selling Partey would mark a first step towards that much-needed overhaul.