There are ‘concrete chances’ that Arsenal star Thomas Partey may leave the club this summer as Mikel Arteta looks to build a squad capable of competing on four fronts next season.
The Ghanaian has struggled with injuries since his arrival at the club, but has emerged as a vital cog when fit and started 28 times for the Gunners as they fell to an ultimately disappointing second-placed finish after leading the Premier League for much of the season.
Midfield is an area that is set to undergo a major overhaul in north London though, with Granit Xhaka set to join Bayer Leverkusen this summer in a deal worth £13m, and at least two midfielders being targetted in the transfer window.
Arsenal have already seen a bid for Declan Rice turned down but are seen as strong favourites for the West Ham captain and have tabled a second offer for the English midfielder.
They have also been credited with an interest in Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo, though they face competition from Chelsea and even Manchester United for his signature, while Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia is another name that has been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium.
All this means that 30-year-old Partey, who has two years left to run on his contract in north London, could be moved on. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano there are ‘concrete chances’ that he leaves the club before the new season, though finding a club willing to match his reported £200,000 per week wages may be problematic.
Meanwhile, the Gunners are closing in on a move for Chelsea’s Kai Havertz, with a deal of around £60m on the verge of being agreed.
