Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has reportedly been the subject of an approach from the Public Investment Fund over a possible move to Saudi Arabia.
The Ghana international is about to enter the final 12 months of his contract at the Emirates Stadium and experienced a decline in fortunes in the 2023-24 season, where his injury problems reared their ugly heads again.
Partey's partnership with Granit Xhaka was key to Arsenal's unsuccessful Premier League title charge in the 2022-23 campaign, but he played just 16 times last term due to groin and hamstring problems.
The former Atletico Madrid man did force his way back into Mikel Arteta's starting lineup in the closing stages of the season, featuring from the off in Arsenal's last five wins of the campaign as they settled for second place behind Manchester City again.
However, as Partey is now 31 years old and out of contract in the summer of 2025, a summer sale appears to be on the cards, especially as Arsenal are still chasing a new number six for the 2024-25 season.
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Partey 'approached' over Saudi Arabia move
A switch to Juventus was mooted last year, but the Bianconeri are instead on the verge of signing Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa, so a move to Saudi Arabia appears the most viable option at this juncture.
According to CaughtOffside, the country's Public Investment Fund - which owns Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad - has now made an approach to Partey's camp over a summer transfer.
Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli reportedly failed with 'lucrative' offers in the 2023 window, but Partey is now open to exploring a new opportunity away from North London after four years in the Arsenal strip.
The report adds that there has been no contact with the Gunners just yet, as the Saudi clubs are instead keen to agree personal terms with the midfielder first of all before negotiating a fee with Arsenal.
The Saudi Pro League's only competition could come from Turkey in the shape of Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, but neither side would be able to compete with the wages on offer in the Middle East, where Partey can expect a rise on his current £200,000-a-week packet.
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Arsenal will likely take a hit on the €50m (£42.3m) they shelled out in 2020 to sign Partey, who has contributed five goals and four assists in 115 matches for Arteta's side while battling frequent fitness problems.
Is it time for Arsenal and Partey to part ways?
Just when there appeared to be no revival for Partey at Arsenal, the 31-year-old ended the 2023-24 campaign in impressive form for the Gunners as their midfield screen, allowing Declan Rice to charge further up the field.
The early indications are that Rice will continue to play such a role in 2024-25 thanks to his brilliant output last season, leaving one of his teammates to mop up in midfield, but Arsenal's search for a new number six has not gone to plan so far.
Moves for all of Luiz, Martin Zubimendi and Bruno Guimaraes are off the cards, so there could be scope for Partey to continue in the red and white shirt for one more year if Arsenal cannot find the right man to replace him.
However, as there is virtually no prospect of Partey extending his contract, a sale appears to be the most likely outcome, lest the Gunners run the risk of losing the experienced lynchpin for nothing in 2025.
Ben Knapton
