Arsenal’s plans for Thomas Partey’s future remain unclear as the club continues to deliberate over the possibility of offering the Ghanaian midfielder a contract extension.
Despite initial discussions regarding the renewal of Partey’s deal, which is set to expire at the end of the season, sources close to the club have revealed that talks are still at an early stage and the situation remains complex.
Journalist Charles Watts provided further insight into the negotiations, explaining that while there is an interest in keeping Partey at the Emirates, formal discussions have not yet begun.
In an interview with Sports Mole, Watts stated, “We are not yet at the stage of real negotiations,” and pointed out that Arsenal is still weighing multiple options. However, he emphasized that no decisions are imminent and all options carry challenges.
Partey, who joined Arsenal from Atlético Madrid in 2020, has become a key figure in Mikel Arteta’s midfield. His performances have been pivotal in the team’s successes, including a highly effective 2024-25 campaign.
The 30-year-old midfielder played 47 matches across all competitions, scoring four goals and registering three assists. Despite his impressive contributions, his future at the club has been called into question due to concerns over his age and fitness record.
The central midfielder’s current contract expires at the end of the season, leaving Arsenal with a decision to make regarding a potential extension.
Partey has reportedly expressed interest in securing a salary increase, a factor that has complicated negotiations.
While his performances this season have been noteworthy, the club is hesitant to meet his wage demands, particularly given his age and history of injury issues.
At 30, Partey is approaching the latter stages of his career, which has led to caution on Arsenal’s part.
The club’s hierarchy is said to be hesitant about offering a long-term and lucrative contract to a player who is entering his 32nd year, despite his undeniable talent and influence on the pitch.
This situation is compounded by the midfielder’s injury record, which has seen him miss several matches during his time at the club, leading to concerns over his long-term reliability.
Arsenal’s hesitation comes at a time when the club is aiming to build for the future, with Arteta focusing on younger players to shape the team’s long-term success.
In addition, the club has made significant investments in recent seasons, signing younger, more dynamic players who are expected to contribute for years to come.
This makes a long-term extension for a player approaching his 32nd birthday more difficult to justify, despite Partey’s on-field impact.
Partey’s future at the club could also depend on the development of Arsenal’s midfield options. The Gunners have several young players, such as Declan Rice and Jorginho, who have impressed this season, leading to questions over whether Arsenal should focus on younger alternatives moving forward.
This could influence their decision on whether to offer Partey a new contract or explore other options in the transfer market.
The negotiations are expected to continue in the coming weeks, and while no concrete offer has been made yet, the situation remains fluid.
For now, Arsenal is carefully considering its next move, weighing the importance of Partey’s contributions against the need to plan for the club’s future.
As the situation unfolds, fans will be closely watching how the club navigates this delicate balancing act of rewarding a player who has been instrumental to their recent success, while also keeping an eye on the long-term vision for the squad.
