22 June 2023 , 21:45
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Thomas Partey is set to leave Arsenal after reportedly agreeing personal terms with Juventus.
Partey joined the Gunners from Atletico Madrid in October 2020 for £45million and has been a key player under Mikel Arteta’s management. He has made 99 appearances across all competitions, contributing five goals and four assists.
But Arsenal ’s determined pursuit of West Ham captain Declan Rice appears to have triggered his exit. Sky Sports Italy have reported that Partey’s representatives have been in touch with Juve and have now agreed personal terms, paving the way for a transfer.
Partey has been targeted by Saudi Arabian sides Al Nassr, Al Ahli and Al Khaleej, but he wants to stay in Europe. Juventus have tried to sign him before and believe they can get their man this summer, with a fee of between £15-17million (€18-20m) could be enough to sign him on a three-year contract.
The 30-year-old’s current Arsenal contract expires in June 2025 and Arsenal are happy to cash in now, rather than run the risk of losing him for free in the future. He could therefore be following Granit Xhaka out of the door, with the Swiss midfielder strongly linked with a move to Bayer Leverkusen.
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Juventus manager Max Allegri is leading the club’s pursuit of Partey, who will bolster the side next season. The Old Lady finished seventh in Serie A last season after being hit with a 15-point deduction for 'financial irregularities' and 'false accounting' in relation to past transfer dealings.
Arsenal are pushing hard to bring in Rice amid strong competition from Manchester City for his signature. The Gunners have already made two bids for Rice, but both of them have been rejected – the most recent of which was £90m, with £75m of that paid up front.
Thomas Partey wants to join Juventus instead of going to Saudi Arabia (Will Palmer/Getty Images)Rice is understood to favour a move to north London, but the Hammers are keen to receive a £100m fee, meaning City could end up getting their man.
Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta’s side are also close to wrapping up a £65m deal for Chelsea forward Kai Havertz. The Germany international is set to undergo a medical this weekend ahead of a transfer being announced next week.
Arsenal have other midfielders on their shortlist, with Brighton ’s Moises Caicedo and Southampton ’s Romeo Lavia two other options. Caicedo came close to joining the Gunners in January and is poised to leave the Seagulls in the current window.
Arteta is happy to sanction the departures of some first-team players in an effort to raise more funds for transfers. The possible departures of Partey and Xhaka would leave Arsenal with Jorginho, Fabio Vieira, Martin Odegaard and Mohamed Elneny as the only options in central midfield.