MX23RW : Wednesday, January 29 20:43:25| >> :60:1254:1254:

Juventus 'end Thomas Partey interest after thigh surgery'

Juventus 'end Thomas Partey interest after thigh surgery'
© Reuters
Juventus reportedly cool their interest in Arsenal's Thomas Partey, who could be out for the remainder of 2023 after undergoing surgery on a thigh injury.

Juventus have allegedly ended their interest in Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey following the Ghanaian's recent thigh operation.

The former Atletico Madrid man struggled for fitness and consistency during his first two years in North London, but he consigned his injury woes to the past in a successful 2022-23 season.

Alongside Granit Xhaka, Partey was a key cog in Mikel Arteta's well-oiled machine as the Gunners finished second in the Premier League table, and he stayed put in the summer despite talk of a move to Juventus or Saudi Arabia.

However, the 30-year-old's physical woes have come back to haunt him this term, as he spent a few weeks out with a groin injury in September before sustaining another muscular injury towards the end of August.

Arteta initially stated that Partey would be sidelined for a number of weeks, but he is now thought to have undergone an operation on his thigh, which could sideline him for the rest of the calendar year.

Fulham's Bobby Decordova-Reid in action with Arsenal's Thomas Partey on August 26, 2023© Reuters

Before re-entering the infirmary, Partey had allegedly grown frustrated with his new role in Arsenal's setup, as he started at right-back in the first three games of the 2023-24 Premier League season to accommodate new signing Kai Havertz.

Jorginho, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard are also regulars in the Arsenal midfield, and the Gunners are supposedly ready to cash in on the Ghana international midway through the season.

Juventus have long been considered the favourites to prise him away from North London, but the Evening Standard claims that the Old Lady have cooled their interest due to his recent procedure.

Massimiliano Allegri has lost both of Paul Pogba and Nicolo Fagioli amid off-field scandals, as the latter is serving a seven-month betting suspension while Pogba awaits to learn the outcome of his doping investigation.

The Frenchman could be slapped with a ban of up to four years, which would surely result in a contract termination, and Juve reportedly planned to use the monies saved from ripping up Pogba's deal to fund a move for Partey.

Thomas Partey warms up for Arsenal in August 2022© Reuters

However, the report states that Juve are now expected to prioritise a move for Manchester City's Kalvin Phillips, while Tottenham Hotspur's Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is also of interest.

Partey is also due to represent Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations in January, although when questioned on Friday, Arteta could not guarantee that the midfielder would be fit for the tournament.

"That's part number two. Let's get him quick and healthy as quick as possible and playing a big part in the team, which I think that he can do," the Spaniard told a press conference.

Partey has registered five goals and four assists in 104 games for Arsenal, who are also set to be working without Egypt representative Mohamed Elneny during next year's AFCON.

The Gunners could try to reinforce their midfield with a January signing as a result and have also been tipped to make a move for Phillips, as well as Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi and Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz.

ID:528847:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect6501:
Written by
Ben Knapton

Thomas Partey future - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about Thomas Partey

Click here for more stories about Arsenal

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Thomas Partey in action for Ghana in October 2023
Read Next:
Arsenal 'to entertain January bids for Thomas Partey'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool22165154213353
2Arsenal23138244212347
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2313553327644
4Manchester CityMan City23125647301741
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle23125641271441
6Chelsea23117545301540
7Bournemouth23117541261540
8Aston Villa2310763435-137
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2381053531434
10Fulham238963431333
11Brentford2394104240231
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd2385102832-429
13Crystal Palace236982630-427
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham2376102844-1627
15Tottenham HotspurSpurs2373134637924
16Everton225891928-923
17Leicester CityLeicester2345142549-2417
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2344153252-2016
19Ipswich TownIpswich2337132147-2616
20Southampton2313191653-376


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!