'I've been told': £45m Arsenal player may stay at the Emirates at the last minute, he was set to leave - journalist

Andrea Berta has arrived as the new Sporting Director, and the Italian has been working on a number of things behind the scenes.

The priority, of course, is reinforcements in the summer transfer window, but that’s not the only task Berta has been given at the Emirates.

The new Gunners director needs to make decisions on the contracts of several Arsenal players as well, and there could be a change in the club’s stance on one of them now.

Arsenal could make a U-turn on their stance on Thomas Partey

Arsenal signed Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid after triggering his £45 million release clause in 2020 (Sky Sports).

The Ghana international has almost always been brilliant for the Gunners when he has been fit and has played in his preferred midfield role.

Injuries have been a big problem over the years, but he seems to have overcome that this season and has been one of Arsenal’s best players.

In July, the 30-year-old’s contract at the Emirates will expire, and the expectation has been that Arsenal will release Partey and have no plans of extending his deal.

However, Charles Watts has revealed that the Gunners’ stance could be changing now.

He said in a video on his YouTube channel: “The expectation has been, certainly the noises have been that Thomas Partey, along with Jorginho, will leave at the end of the season.

“I’ve been doing a little digging, trying to find out exactly where things stand at the moment. So, this is where the situation lies with Thomas Partey and where his future right now.

“As far as I’m aware, and I’ve been told, he has never had a contract offer from the club. And there haven’t been proper talks going on still – no formal talks with Arsenal about a new contract. But, as far as I’m aware, for the first time probably since the clock has been ticking down, there is a feeling maybe that Arsenal are actually now willing to enter into negotiations about an extension with Thomas Partey. But, I reiterate this, that hasn’t happened yet.”

Watts also added: “We’ll see how it all progresses, but there is a sense, from the people I have spoken to, that there is a bit of a change and Arsenal would potentially be open to keeping him.

“Whereas before, the feeling within Partey’s side of things was: ‘This isn’t going to happen, I’m going at the end of the season, Arsenal aren’t really open for discussions’.”

Should Arsenal keep hold of Thomas Partey?

Arsenal are in a tricky position with their midfield.

Losing Partey in the same window after his exceptional season would mean that the Gunners will have to spend big on another midfielder as well.

With reinforcements needed up front, out wide, in goal and possibly in defence as well, Berta may find it difficult to manage the funds.

So, if a reasonable deal can be agreed with Partey, keeping hold of him wouldn’t be a bad idea at all.