EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal to listen to Partey bids as Juventus target Pobga replacement
Steve Kay
- Updated: 14 Sept 2023 09:44 BST
- 3 min read
Exclusive
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Thomas Partey have reached a mutual understanding that the Gunners will listen to bids during the January transfer window as Juventus circle for the 30-year-old as a potential replacement for Paul Pogba, FootballTransfers can confirm.
Following the summer arrival of Declan Rice from West Ham for a club-record fee of €117 million, Partey’s status at Arsenal has fallen, while he has also picked up a fresh injury problem in a further setback to his ambitions with the Emirates club.
However, even before travelling with Ghana, the former Atletico Madrid midfielder had held talks with Gunners boss Arteta over his future last week.
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Although Partey had started the first three games of the season before missing the victory over Manchester United, he had done so in an unfamiliar right-back slot, having lost his position in midfield. This prompted a discussion with Arteta, the upshot of which is that Arsenal will consider offers for Partey during January.
The player will have 18 months left to run on his contract at that point and wishes a long-term deal to secure his future when he signs his next agreement.
Arsenal, FootballTransfers understands, are not willing to bow to this request, concerned about his recent injury record. Indeed, Arteta believes that Partey will be out until after the October international break with his latest setback.
On top of this, Partey’s wages of £200,000 per week are difficult for the club to justify given the number of games he misses.
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Juventus a serious option for Partey
Juventus have emerged as an option for Partey in January, according to reports from Italy, and FootballTransfers can confirm that the Turin side could be a legitimate option come the window.
Juve, after all, are seeking a replacement for midfielder Paul Pogba, who could face between two and four years out of the game after returning a positive drug test. The France midfielder is presently waiting on the results of a B sample before the next stage of the drama.
Arsenal are certainly willing to listen to the Serie A side, with Partey commanding an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €21m.
