Arsenal are already facing a contract dilemma in the squad as two key players are nearing the end of their current deals.
Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar navigated their way through the summer transfer window at the Emirates by welcoming five new faces to the squad.
Arsenal signed David Raya permanently, before sealing deals for Riccardo Calafiori, Mikel Merino, Neto and Raheem Sterling.
The Gunners were left satisfied with their work in the summer market however, both Arteta and Edu still have work to do despite the 2024/25 calendar only just starting.
Arsenal stance on Thomas Partey’s contract emerges
One player whose future is under the microscope is Thomas Partey, who is in the final year of his contract in North London.
The Gunners signed the midfielder back in 2020 from Atletico Madrid, paying £45m for his services to bolster the middle of the park.
Now 31, the club have a decision to make on whether to renew Partey’s contract, with a new stance emerging.
The Mirror understands that Arsenal haven’t made a move to discuss the possibility of a contract extension with the player, stating that the Gunners are ‘yet to show an appetite’ to offer the Ghanaian a new deal.
Partey earns £10.4m-a-year at the Emirates, which amounts to £200k-a-week, giving Arteta and Edu a lot to consider when it comes to making a final decision on the midfielder’s future.
The reported reservations are understandable, given that Partey has struggled with fitness issues over the years, as well as being one of the club’s top earners.
Edu’s transfer priority at Arsenal becomes clear
The Mirror’s report also focused on Jorginho’s situation, with the Italian in an identical place to Partey being in the final year of his contract.
In May, it was announced that Arsenal had agreed a ‘short-term’ deal with the former Chelsea midfielder, keeping him at the club for the 2024/25 campaign.
While Jorginho doesn’t earn as much as Partey, there will be conversations to be had over his renewal, being 32-years-old and very much a sporadically used talent in Arteta’s side.
As a result, it’s claimed that Edu’s transfer priority is to sign a ‘marquee defensive midfielder’ next summer, regardless of the outcome of the contract talks with both Jorginho and Partey.
There was some belief that the Ghana international would leave in the summer transfer window however, he remained at the club, something that proved to be vital as Merino is yet to make his debut due to injury.
When the Spaniard returns to action, there is expected to be a change in the tides of Arteta’s favoured midfield pivot, leaving Partey’s role in jeopardy amid talks of his contract.
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