EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal could sell Partey in January after Merino signing

Steve Kay

Updated: 29 Aug 2024 08:50 BST
4 min read

Arsenal have signed Mikel Merino as an immediate starting option, FootballTransfers understands.

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The Spanish midfielder was officially unveiled as a new Gunners signing on Tuesday after a lengthy saga. Arsenal took their time with the transfer, knowing fully well that Merino was desperate to move to the Emirates.

They now finally have their man after paying north of €30 million on the 28-year-old European champion. We are told that Merino has been earmarked for an immediate starting role once he is fully fit and integrated into the team after training alone during his final days in San Sebastian.

Contrary to some suggestions, Merino has not been signed to be merely a backup option. Mikel Arteta firmly views his compatriot as being capable of playing a starring role in Arsenal's midfield.

Merino has most certainly not been signed to act as a sort of understudy to Thomas Partey. Though the Ghanaian has started the season well, the new recruit is likely to push to 31-year-old out of the starting XI.

Declan Rice will move into the nominal No.6 role where he will alternate with Merino during games. The latter is not a traditional holding midfielder, though he is capable of deputising in that role. Merino is best used as an all-action No.8.

Arsenal's Partey stance unchanged

FootballTransfers exclusively revealed earlier this month that Arsenal will not offer Partey a new contract. The veteran midfielder's current deal is up next summer and he is expected to depart the Gunners in 2025.

Whether this will be as a free agent is not yet totally clear. We have now been told that Arsenal could attempt to sell the Ghanaian in January, though it is accepted that this could prove tricky as the player will be able to negotiate a free transfer move with interested parties.

Nevertheless, Arsenal's current stance is that they will entertain offers for Partey in the January window if a suitable replacement becomes available.

The club had been in the market for a No.6 this summer but a dearth of options meant that signing a No.8 eventually became the priority.

Partey is on a sizeable salary at Arsenal, so the north London giants are aware that moving him on would significantly impact what they are able to do in the January transfer window.