Arsenal is preparing for the departure of one of their top-paid players to Saudi Arabia this summer from Emirates Stadium.
To reorganize his team in anticipation of a future title challenge, Mikel Arteta has the Gunners dependent on sales during this transfer window. Among others, it is predicted that Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah would go this summer.
Arsenal hasn’t always been the best at selling players; their highest-ever star acquisition price was £35 million, which they recovered from Liverpool when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain moved to the midfield. The transfer to Monaco that Folarin Balogun made a year ago, however, was almost that amount.
According to TEAMtalk, Thomas Partey may be ready to leave Emirates Stadium for the Middle East, as the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) has reportedly made direct contact with the Ghanaian over a transfer.
In addition to owning a share in Newcastle United, the PIF is in charge of the four original members of the Saudi Pro League: Al Ahli, Al Ittihad, Al Hilal, and Al Nassr. It is unknown which team Partey would play for.
When he arrived from Atletico Madrid in 2020, the midfield player was an improvement over Arteta’s previous alternatives, but in his four years in the N5, he has struggled with fitness. He has been replaced at the basis of the Gunners’ midfield by Declan Rice, who has also been joined by Jorginho.
According to TEAMtalk’s report, “Partey has stated a willingness to begin on a new path and is open to approaches.” FourFourTwo believes that this is fortunate for Arteta, who can consider himself extremely fortunate to have Partey removed from the records.
Due to injuries, the No. 5 has been incredibly inconsistent for the Gunners over the past 18 months. Even when he has played, he hasn’t had the same level of ball security as Jorginho. This summer, finding a replacement for a vital player who has physically deteriorated is a need rather than a luxury. Considering that he is reportedly paid £200,000 a week, it may be expensive to retain a top player who isn’t performing at the same level as the team.