Journalist Charles Watts has now claimed that one Arsenal player will push to remain at the Emirates Stadium next season.
There are question marks over the future of a number of Arsenal players.
The upcoming summer transfer window is likely to be a busy period for the Gunners. Sporting director Edu insists that Arsenal already have their top targets identified. Mikel Arteta will be keen to strengthen his squad in a number of key areas.
In order to bring these reinforcements in to the Emirates Stadium though, space in the squad will need to be cleared and funds will have to be raised. To that end, thirteen Arsenal players have been identified as potential candidates to depart the club at the end of this season.
Amongst those who may well make their exit this summer is Thomas Partey.
The Ghanaian midfielder made just his fifth Premier League start of the season against Chelsea on Tuesday evening. Arteta was finally able to see Partey and Declan Rice partnered up in the middle of the park, and the combination did not disappoint.
However, given the 30-year-old’s age and recurrent fitness issues, his long-term future may not be in North London.
Charles Watts provides update on Thomas Partey future at Arsenal
There has been transfer interest from suitors in Partey before. The fact his season this time around has been decimated by injury will also have shown Arteta that he cannot rely on the £45 million former Atletico Madrid man to be available when needed.
There is no doubt that, at his best, Partey is an elite-level midfield operator. He brings things to the Arsenal side that no other player in Arteta’s current squad can, with his ability to play penetrative passes forward between the lines with such regularity, and habit of receiving the ball on the half-turn in order to quickly transition the team from defence into attack.
That being said, Charles Watts is convinced that Arsenal will accept a fair offer for Partey this summer if one arrives.
However, writing for Caught Offside, the reporter also stated that the player “wanted to come in and help Arsenal get back into the Champions League, so he really wanted to have a good crack at that this season. Unfortunately he was injured and missed all of it, so I don’t think he will be too keen on leaving this summer either.”
What should Arsenal do with Thomas Partey
In truth, the 47-cap Ghana international’s injury issues are unlikely to improve at this point in his career. Arsenal are also due a midfield rebuild.
As tempting as it is to keep Partey around due to how brilliant he is on his day, his best days simply don’t come around often enough anymore.
Arteta ought to hope that he can stay fit and continue to shine for the rest of the season, and then move on from Partey for good in the summer, despite his Champions League ambitions.