By Kwame Bediako
Thomas Partey will leave Arsenal as a free agent at the end of June, concluding his five-year tenure with the London club. Despite discussions between both parties, an agreement on a new contract could not be reached, leading to his impending departure on June 30. This move is part of Arsenal’s summer squad reshuffle, as reported by football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Arsenal has already initiated steps to find Partey’s replacement, with ongoing talks reported with Brentford’s Christian Nørgaard. The club had been keen to retain the 32-year-old midfielder, especially after he maintained a relatively injury-free season and became a regular starter, proving to be a key player for Mikel Arteta. However, negotiations reached a stalemate, with Partey reportedly unwilling to accept Arsenal’s offer and the club unwilling to improve its proposal.
Partey’s departure comes after a season where he made 35 Premier League appearances, scoring four goals and providing two assists. He also played a crucial role in Arsenal’s run to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals for the first time in two decades, featuring in 12 matches. His overall contribution to the team saw him make 52 appearances across all competitions in the 2024/25 season, his highest tally since joining Arsenal in 2020 from Atletico Madrid.
As a free agent, the Ghana international has attracted significant interest from several top European clubs. Spanish champions Barcelona and Italian giants Juventus, who have long admired the former Atletico Madrid star, are among the potential suitors. Additionally, Turkish club Fenerbahce has reportedly taken steps towards signing the Ghanaian midfielder for the 2025/26 season. There are also reports suggesting a high-profile move to Saudi Arabia is possible.
Currently, the Black Stars’ deputy captain is on holiday in Ghana and is expected to travel to Europe in the coming days to finalize his future. His exit marks a significant change for Arsenal, necessitating strategic acquisitions to maintain squad depth and competitive strength in the upcoming season.
