Thomas Partey ‘set to leave Arsenal’ after failing to agree new deal

Thomas Partey is reportedly set to leave Arsenal as negotiations over a new deal have come to a ‘complete standstill’.

ESPN reports that Partey, whose contract expires at the end of June, is not expected to reach an agreement.

Partey joined Arsenal for £45million from Atletico Madrid on deadline day in October 2020. 

The Ghana international has gone on to play 167 times for the Gunners and has scored nine goals. 

Partey was ruled out injured for large chunks of the 2023-24 season but returned as an important figure for Mikel Arteta last campaign as they reached the Champions League semi-finals. 

His stint in north London has brought no major trophies, although he did play in their 2023 Community Shield penalties victory over Manchester City. 

Arsenal look set to secure a £51million deal for Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, who is being touted as a replacement for Partey. 

Partey says his family will be a decisive factor in deciding his future.

‘I think the first thing is where are you happy and where do you feel at home. At the end of the day you’ve been in football, you’ve been in different teams.

‘Then it’s about what is your next objective what do you want to achieve next. You still have to look at all this and at the end of the day we all have a family that needs money, this is our mind.

‘We are not getting younger. There are a lot of things where you have to look now with a family, where you want them to be happy. When you are young you just play anywhere.

‘I’m an Arsenal fan, I can’t decide anything and just have to leave it to my agent and the club. Me, I just want to enjoy football.’

Partey played in all but three of Arsenal’s Premier League fixtures last season, scoring four goals and claiming two assists, as they came second for the third consecutive campaign.

Asked if last season represented the best form of his career, he said: ‘I think they will say about the availability because I was available throughout the whole season so of course they will say that.’

‘Every moment, every year or every time in training there I feel I’ve been in my best because I can’t count how many games I was not giving all my best.

‘Sometimes it may go bad but every game I go all out and try to give my best. I feel happy in me, every year injury or no injury which is part of it I have given my best.’ 

Arteta wants him to stay and recently said: ‘In regards to Thomas, consistency-wise, it’s been his best season. 

‘I think the way he’s played, performed, his availability has been exceptional and he’s a really important player for us. Yeah (I want him to stay).’