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Arsenal are open to extending the contract of midfielder Thomas Partey, and have opened talks with the Ghanaian over a new deal.
Partey has entered the final few months of his contract in north London, and there had been little movement from the club despite the former Atletico Madrid star playing a big role for Mikel Arteta's side this season.
His Arsenal career had long been dogged by injuries, but Partey has stayed fit for much of 2024/25 and played 46 games in all competitions. While the midfielder is far from perfect, he is a physical presence at the base of midfield who boasts progressive traits.
Arteta has always been a big fan, and the Spaniard is surely one of the advocates for extending the 31-year-old's stay. The club made a late decision to retain Jorginho last year, who put pen to paper in May, but the Italian is set to move on this summer and may have already played his last game for the club after sustaining a rib injury which could keep him out for the rest of the season.
Arsenal in talks over Thomas Partey contract extension
The Athletic's David Ornstein reported on Wednesday evening, just before Partey produced a so-so performance in the club's 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace, that Arsenal are "in talks" with the midfielder over a new contract.
The 31-year-old is settled in north London and would be open to extending his contract by another two years, which could be broken down into a 1+1 agreement. His age means any new deal will not be long-term.
Should the Gunners retain the Ghanaian, Arsenal will only need to replace Jorginho in midfield. The experienced Italian is destined to depart as a free agent in June, with Saudi Arabia or Brazil his two most likely destinations. The club has lined up Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi to replace the metronomic Jorginho.
In addition to the Partey update, Ornstein also noted that Arsenal regard the Spanish midfielder's signing as good as sealed despite supposed interest from Real Madrid. Zubimendi is similar in profile to Jorginho, only younger and more athletic. Should the club oversee his arrival in the summer, Partey's role will likely be diminished next year, but we've learned this year just how important squad depth is given the demands of the modern-day football calendar.