Gabriel Magalhaes sends two-word message to Thomas Partey as Arsenal exit looms
Thomas Partey received a loving message from teammate Gabriel Magalhaes as the clock ticks down on the midfielder’s contract at Arsenal.
Football Insider reported in May that Arsenal were close to agreeing a new deal for Partey, much to the delight of supporters, but that no longer appears to be the case for the Ghanaian.
According to Fabrizio Romano, via X (25 June), the 32-year-old is set to depart North London as a free transfer, with Brentford’s Christian Norgaard potentially being signed as a quick replacement.
During his five seasons with the Gunners, the midfielder became an integral part of Mikel Arteta‘s side, racking up 167 appearances across all competitions, even notching nine goals and six assists.
Despite this, the North London side are set to lose Partey at the end of his current contract, and his teammates are clearly getting sentimental and emotional on social media.
Gabriel Magalhaes bracing for Thomas Partey’s exit
Sharing an image of himself with Partey on Instagram stories (26 June), Gabriel wrote: “My guy,” sharing a final few moments with his teammate before he leaves the Gunners for good.
Mikel Arteta continues with confusing transfer strategy at Arsenal
Football Insider verdict
Arsenal fans were ready to turn on Arteta last season, especially after the PSG defeat in the Champions League semi-final, and the Spaniard is not helping himself so far this summer.
The Gunners are closing in on a deal for Norgaard, with Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi also a target yet again, clearly accounting for the exits of Partey and Jorginho.
However, supporters are losing patience without an out-and-out striker at the Emirates Stadium, having watched Mikel Merino converted to a forward following injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.
Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres was a concrete option for Arsenal, with Football Insider understanding in May that the striker was “happy” to join the Gunners instead of Man United this summer.
The transfer saga involving the former Coventry City centre-forward looks to be dragging on for much longer, though, and the likes of Benjamin Sesko and Ollie Watkins have re-emerged on the club’s radar.
Supporters will be absolutely up in arms at the end of the season if the Gunners fail to fill the striker spot this summer, but with many more weeks remaining, there is plenty of time to do business.