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In the midst of swirling transfer rumors, Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is reportedly considering a move to Juventus if he decides to leave the Gunners this summer.
The 30-year-old Ghanaian international played a crucial role in Mikel Arteta’s midfield last season, but with the imminent arrival of Declan Rice from West Ham, Partey’s future at the club has become uncertain.
Arsenal have recently agreed to a staggering £105 million deal for Rice, and the West Ham captain is scheduled to undergo a medical examination on Friday before finalizing his move to last season’s Premier League runners-up.
Meanwhile, Partey has not been short of suitors this summer, with three Saudi Pro League clubs—Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli, and Al-Khaleej—all expressing interest in acquiring his services.
However, according to reputable sources at CBS Sports, Partey’s representatives have conveyed to the Saudi clubs that their client’s preference is to continue playing in Europe.
It is believed that Juventus is the midfielder’s preferred destination, although the Serie A giants have yet to submit an offer to Arsenal.
While Partey’s potential departure would undoubtedly leave a void in Arsenal’s midfield, the Gunners may explore alternative options to reinforce their squad.
One such alternative is Moises Caicedo, the Ecuadorian international, whom Arsenal had pursued fervently in the January transfer window.
However, securing Caicedo’s services this summer may prove to be financially challenging, as Brighton, his current club, is holding out for a lofty £100 million transfer fee, using Arsenal’s £105 million deal for Rice as a benchmark.
Chelsea, who have been engaged in extensive negotiations with Brighton over the past week, have indicated that they are willing to go as high as £80 million for Caicedo.
This potentially puts Arsenal in a difficult position, as they would need to consider whether to increase their offer to match Brighton’s demands or explore other options in the transfer market.
Arsenal’s midfield woes have been further compounded by the departure of Granit Xhaka, who recently completed a £21.4 million move to Bayer Leverkusen. Consequently, the Gunners are eager to bolster their midfield options, even after securing the signing of Rice.
One potential target is Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia, whose performances have caught the attention of Arsenal scouts. However, the club is reluctant to meet Southampton’s hefty £50 million asking price for the 19-year-old.
Rival Premier League clubs Liverpool and Chelsea have also expressed an interest in acquiring Lavia’s services. The talented youngster made a £14 million switch from Manchester City to Southampton last year and has since impressed with his performances in midfield.
Arsenal’s pursuit of Lavia is undoubtedly fraught with competition, as they would need to fend off interest from both Liverpool and Chelsea to secure his signature.
As the summer transfer window heats up, the future of Thomas Partey remains uncertain. While the Ghanaian midfielder’s representatives have indicated his desire to continue playing in Europe, his preferred destination, Juventus, has yet to submit an offer to Arsenal.
With several Saudi Pro League clubs also vying for his services, it remains to be seen where Partey will ply his trade next season. Arsenal, on the other hand, are actively exploring alternatives to strengthen their midfield, with Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia emerging as potential targets. As the transfer saga unfolds, football fans eagerly await further developments in this ever-evolving story.
