Arsenal in huge transfer u-turn with 'super important' player in talks with European giant: report
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta could be selling one of his key stars on the eve of his season beginning, in a big transfer twist
Arsenal could let a player that Mikel Arteta deemed "super important" leave the club, with talks over a surprise exit having begun.
The Gunners have brought in £200 million worth of talent in the form of Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber but outgoings have been a little more scant. Granit Xhaka has been the major departure for around £20m, with fringe defender Auston Trusty following him out the door in recent days, signing for recently-promoted Sheffield United.
Arteta has claimed that "things will move" in the final weeks of the window, suggesting that more exits are likely – but one surprise exit could end up dividing the Emirates Stadium.
According to Sky Sports in Italy, Juventus have begun talks over a move for Thomas Partey. Partey was linked with a move to Saudi Arabia earlier in the window and lost his place in the side last season – before Arsenal smashed their transfer record for Rice, who is likely to play as the No.6 this season.
But the move would still come as a surprise, given that Arteta has claimed in the last few weeks that the Ghanaian is a key member of his squad and someone that he would like to keep around, telling Sky Sports that, "Without a question of a doubt, Thomas Partey is a super important player for us and for me."
Why Jurrien Timber Is A Perfect Fit For Arsenal
It would seem as though Juventus may have to raise funds to actually complete a deal. Weston McKennie, on loan at Leeds United last term, may have to leave Turin once more, while reports from the Evening Standard say that Dusan Vlahovic is a target for Chelsea.
Arsenal signed Partey for around £45m and are unlikely to accept less than £35m for a player that they are content going into the start of the season with.
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In the event of Partey leaving, his international compatriot Mohammed Kudus may be targeted. Another player on Chelsea's radar, Football Transfers says that the Ajax star favours Champions League football.
Partey is valued by Transfermarkt to be worth €35m.
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Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.