Arsenal 'ready to sell Partey' to fund three-man January transfer list

27 November 2023 , 14:51

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Arsenal 'ready to sell Partey' to fund three-man January transfer list

Arsenal are ready to offload Thomas Partey in January as they target new faces to strengthen their squad in the New Year.

The Gunners are very much in the Premier League title race and went top on Saturday night but Mikel Arteta is already eyeing up how he can bolster his ranks. Partey was an integral figure last term but has struggled for fitness and will be absent in January due to the Africa Cup of Nations.

Arsenal have a longstanding interest in Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz, who continues to impress for the Midlands club. The Brazilian has been the subject of three failed bids from Arsenal and it will take a mammoth offer to convince Villa to sell midseason.

ESPN reports that those at the Emirates are open to Partey's departure - something they also considered in the summer. Back then no suitable offers arrived, but Juventus are known to be admirers and could make a play for the Ghanaian midfielder.

Declan Rice's arrival lessens the need for Arteta to have Partey in his starting XI and a reshuffle could be on the cards, but it is very dependent on finances. Arsenal spent around £200million in the summer on Rice, Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz while David Raya's loan is expected to become permanent in the summer.

Mikel Arteta's dream Arsenal line up as last-gasp January transfers are secured

It means the north Londoners are working with limited funds as they comply with financial regulations. Partey's sale could aid a bid for Luiz, who signed a deal at Villa Park recently which ties him down until 2026. Villa boss Unai Emery - formerly of Arsenal - has maintained that Luiz is not for sale: ‌“He is a very important player but is also very happy here so of course we want to keep him."

Douglas Luiz has been a standout performer for Aston Villa (AP)

Arteta could also chose to pursue other areas of his squad. Pedro Neto at Wolves is a proven performer in the top flight and the winger would add more dynamism and depth to the squad with Arsenal heavily reliant on Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli on the flanks.

Brentford's Ivan Toney also remains a target as he edges closer to a playing return following his gambling ban. The striker has long been tipped for a move to a top-six side, but he will not come cheap and the Bees are determined to hold out until the summer before entertaining bids.

Samuel Meade