Atletico Madrid reportedly present an curiosity in re-signing Thomas Partey from Arsenal subsequent summer season however face competitors from Barcelona.
Spanish giants Atletico Madrid have apparently proven an curiosity in re-signing Thomas Partey from Arsenal subsequent summer season.
The Ghana worldwide made a reputation for himself as a tough-tackling lynchpin throughout his time within the Spanish capital from 2012 to 2020, earlier than signing for the Gunners in a deal value circa £42m.
Partey’s time within the Premier League has been affected by quite a few health issues, although, and the signing of Declan Rice in 2023 would seemingly precede the 31-year-old’s exit.
Nevertheless, with Rice as an alternative taking part in as a quantity eight slightly than a quantity six, Partey has risen again up the ranks this season, beginning each Premier League and Champions League sport to date.
The midfielder has by no means signed a brand new contract throughout his time in North London, although, and he might stroll away from the Emirates for nothing on the finish of the season if a renewal shouldn’t be agreed.
Barcelona, Atletico ‘battling’ to signal Partey
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In keeping with Fichajes – through TEAMTalk – Atletico boss Diego Simeone would fortunately welcome Partey again to the Wanda Metropolitano, the place he made 188 appearances and received La Liga and the Europa League.
Atletico will face stiff competitors from rivals Barcelona, although, because the cash-strapped Catalans usually are not prone to cross up a chance to signal a high-profile participant at no cost, particularly one with La Liga expertise.
A change to the Saudi Professional League remains to be regarded as a critical possibility for Partey, who might additionally count on a a lot larger wage packet within the Center East in comparison with the Spanish prime flight.
Juventus have been additionally strongly linked with a transfer for the 31-year-old over the summer season, however the Italian giants will quickly welcome again Paul Pogba, who can reportedly return to motion in March after his four-year doping ban was lowered to 18 months.
Partey has conjured up six objectives and 4 assists in 124 appearances for Arsenal over the previous 4 years, and talking forward of Saturday’s 3-1 Premier League win over Southampton, Arteta claimed that the midfielder’s bodily situation after the summer season was the very best he had ever seen.
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“He is a large participant for us and he is proven that week in, week out. He is began the season rather well, actually match. The way in which he got here again post-holiday was in all probability in the very best situation that he is been, which was actually useful as properly,” Arteta mentioned.
“Now he must proceed to do this. We’ve managed sure minutes with him in the fitting means and the crew is doing that, after which he is doing every thing he can as properly to be in the very best bodily situation.”
Ought to Arsenal provide Partey a brand new contract?
Many Gooners will bear in mind the 2020 period of dropping a number of costly stars at no cost, equivalent to Mesut Ozil and Shkodran Mustafi, albeit whereas terminating their contracts slightly than letting them run them down.
Nevertheless, letting the £42m Partey go for nothing could be a large blow on the enterprise facet of issues, so if nothing else, Arsenal should certainly contemplate giving him a brand new contract simply to guard his worth.
It’s honest to say that Partey has been extra hit than miss for the reason that begin of the 2022-23 season, however given his harm file and the truth that he turns 32 subsequent yr, maintaining him round doesn’t make a lot sense from a sporting perspective.
