4 Thomas Partey alternatives Arsenal could sign this summer

The clock is ticking for Arsenal and Thomas Partey to reach an agreement over a contract extension, with the player's current deal in north London expiring next month.

There have been conflicting reports as to how far along the two parties are in negotiations, but it's clear that Partey wants to remain at the Emirates. He's certainly played like it this season after several injury-ravaged years.

Arsenal, understandably, are hesitant over offering the 31-year-old (who's 32 in June), a long-term deal, which Partey would surely prefer.

While there's hope on both sides that an agreement will soon be reached, we must still entertain the possibility that Partey walks at the end of June. If that's the case, Arsenal will need another body in the middle of the park to join Martin Zubimendi, who looks set to join the club as a Jorginho replacement.

Here are four alternatives to Partey that the Gunners could move for this summer

1. Lucien Agoume

If Arsenal do require a Partey replacement, I don't think it'd be necessary to sign a player boasting a profile similar to that of the Ghanaian, as a result of Zubimendi's likely arrival. The Spaniard, in my eyes, will take the bulk of Partey's minutes in a holding midfield position.

Thus, there's scope for the Gunners to be somewhat creative. However, I suspect Arteta, given Zubimendi's physical shortcomings, will target a Partey-like presence in the middle of the park.

Agoume has tenuously been linked to Arsenal in the recent past, and he's a name who's down the rounds amid uncertainty over Partey's future.

The 23-year-old didn't make the grade at Inter, but has shone at a senior level for Brest and a struggling Sevilla side. Agoume is a #6 by trade who breaks up play relentlessly, can dominate in the air, and has shown in the past – less so in recent years – his ability to lead his team's build-up play as a metronomic holder.

Given his skillset and the likely fee, Agoume would be the ideal replacement. This is no Albert Sambi Lokonga.

2. Ayyoub Bouaddi

17-year-old Bouaddi is the sort of figure who stands out like a sore thumb on the pitch. The teenager is somewhat gangly and has wild hair, with his socks occasionally drifting into Jack Grealish territory.

He's an intriguing talent who's enjoyed a breakout year in Ligue 1 and Champions League with Lille.

While Bouaddi functions impressively as a midfield controller, there's scope for him to blossom into more of a box-to-box operator. While bereft of muscle, his tall frame allows him to resist pressure efficiently and glide beyond wishful tacklers when he moves through the gears with the ball at his feet.

Arsenal could do with another premier ball carrier in central zones to complement space-eater Declan Rice, and Bouaddi certainly fits the bill. The young Frenchman is cultured in possession but a tenacious character without it.

While this would be more of a 'project' signing on Arsenal's behalf, Bouaddi's comfort at the highest level means he'd soon be able to contribute in north London.

3. Enzo Barrenechea

Juventus rather unwisely ditched Barrenechea last summer in order to bring in Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz, and the Villans opted to send the young Argentine to Spain for a loan spell with Valencia.

It was clear during his few senior appearances with Juve that he was a midfield talent worth keeping hold of, and Barrenechea, during his second year of playing regular first-team football, has supplied further proof of the Old Lady's incompetence.

The midfielder's form in La Liga means integration into Unai Emery's first team is possible next season, but I'd still be testing the waters if Arsenal require a Partey replacement. I've quickly fallen in love with Barrenechea, the player.

The 23-year-old is tall and built enough to compete physically, but it's his innate 'feel' for the game which stands out. He's a tempo-setter; a midfielder you function your build-up around.

Barrenechea is progressive and dynamic without being a truly outstanding athlete. He can switch play with ease, and manipulate the ball in tight spaces to open up alternate passing angles. There's room for improvement out of possession, in my eyes, but he has the makings of an outstanding number six who'll soon feature heavily for the national team.

4. Felix Nmecha

Borussia Dortmund's Nmecha would be the most expensive of the listed options, with the German club likely to have no wish to sell the German midfielder this summer.

We've seen several iterations of Nmecha manifest at Signal Iduna Park, with the 24-year-old's rounded profile allowing him to fulfil an array of midfield roles.

Nmecha is willing to contribute in the first phase, has the engine to dominate between the boxes, and is capable of popping up with the odd goal when he ventures forward. He's not an outright number six and is best utilised in tandem with a more disciplined midfield partner.

The German would be an excellent complementary piece to Arsenal's midfield. He may not be outstanding at any one thing, but there are few holes in his game. He's a high-floor midfielder, and Arteta would love the work he gets through defensively.

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