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Arsenal could shatter Man City dream with big-money transfer thanks to £25m deal
Arsenal are reportedly close to finalising the sale of Thomas Partey - with Manchester City target Martin Zubimendi lined up as a mega-money replacement.
The Gunners explored the potential of selling Partey last summer with moves to Saudi Arabia and Juventus on the table. Despite this, the 31-year-old midfielder stayed at the Emirates.
However, Partey has since struggled for game time, making just 14 Premier League appearances - including nine from the start - during the 2023/24 season. He spent time out with groin and hamstring issues, which severely disrupted his progress and saw him miss four months in total.
Now, according to ESPN, Partey is on the verge of securing a move away from north London. A fee in the region of £25million is set to secure his exit, some way below the £45m they paid Atletico Madrid to sign him four years ago. Nevertheless, it's still a sizeable fee for someone in their 30s.
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TEAMtalk report that his destination is set to be Saudi Arabia after talks had been reignited. Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli have shown the strongest interest in signing him. Partey, as expected with players moving to the Middle East, would be in line to sign a mega-money contract.
Should Partey leave, Arsenal are likely to sign a replacement, with Zubimendi a long-term target. The Spaniard has a £51m release clause in his contract, while Manchester United are among the others interested in him.
Meanwhile, Manchester City have supposedly lined up a move for Zubimendi in 2025. Arsenal could shatter that dream by moving for Zubimendi 12 months earlier, with Fabrizio Romano suggesting that a move is viable. The 25-year-old has made 187 appearances for boyhood club Real Sociedad.
He would bolster their midfield department and add to the already-talented set of players they have already got, including Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice and Jorginho.
