‘Arsenal to be outbid for Thomas Partey deal after London talks’
Arsenal are set to be outbid by foreign sides as they belatedly attempt to extend Thomas Partey’s expiring contract.
The Ghanaian’s current deal is set to expire at the end of the season, meaning he has been allowed to negotiate with foreign clubs since the beginning of January.
Partey is not the only midfielder whose deal is set to run out at the end of the current campaign, with Jorginho expected to leave the club.
Having joined the club in 2020 from Atletico Madrid for £45million [BBC Sport], the 31-year-old Partey has enjoyed his best campaign in North London.
Mikel Arteta has made it clear he would like to keep the midfielder at the Emirates, but as reported by The Times, Arsenal may struggle to do so.
Spanish and Saudi Arabian teams can offer Thomas Partey more money
Partey’s representatives have reportedly been in London to discuss a new deal, but have only held informal discussions with the club so far.
Arsenal have a general policy to only offer players older than 30 one-year deals, with an option for a further year.
Partey currently earns £250,000-a-week and is willing to extend his deal, but he has interest from sides in Spain and Saudi Arabia, and those teams would offer more lucrative and longer contracts than his current club.
Arsenal look to Martin Zubimendi with Thomas Partey future uncertain
Football Insider Verdict
Partey’s uncertain future in North London may push Arsenal to make signing Martin Zubimendi their priority in the coming transfer window.
Zubimendi rejected a move to Liverpool last summer, but that has not stopped the Gunners from showing interest in the Real Sociedad midfielder.
The Spanish international is five years younger than Partey and has made over 200 appearances for his boyhood club, whilst also featuring for Spain during their Euro 2024 victory.
| 2024/25 LaLiga stats | Zubimendi |
| Appearances | 31 |
| Starts | 29 |
| Goals | 2 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Minutes | 2,599 |
Zubimendi couples a tenacity in ball-winning with a fantastic passing repertoire, ranking in the top 5% of both accurate long-balls and duels won in LaLiga [FotMob].
Whilst the midfielder would likely slot seamlessly into Arteta’s side, interest from Real Madrid is a concern and the Gunners will have to act quickly to get a deal over the line.