With Arsenal choosing to pass up on the opportunity for renewal, the latest Thomas Partey transfer news sees the soon-to-be free agent linked with a collection of Europe’s elite and beyond. He has plenty of long-time admirers, particularly in Italy, and Napoli are expected to throw their hat in the ring.
Thomas Partey to Leave Arsenal as a Free Agent
As of the contract renewal deadline on June 30, Thomas Partey will become a free agent.
Although negotiations looked to have been heading in a positive direction last month, the Ghanaian international failed to reach an agreement with Arsenal over fresh terms.
Having offered a continuation of his $273,000 per-week contract for another two years, the Gunners were unprepared to cough up a bumper salary, despite enjoying perhaps his best season in North London.
With talks reaching an impasse, the club decided to let his contract run out and allow the 32-year-old to depart on a free this summer.
With fellow midfielder Jorginho also leaving for Flamengo, Arsenal have already brought in replacements for the pair, in the shape of Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard.
Thomas Partey Transfer News: Napoli Rumors Surface
Having been one of the Premier League’s most consistent performers in midfield last season, a long line of potential suitors are clambering for his services.
He would no doubt be an exceptional pick-up for most teams, and has displayed very little signs of his game slowing down, despite entering his early-to-mid 30’s.
There is, however, only a select group of teams fortunate enough to even consider approaching him. With his eye-watering wages proving to be the sticking point in his renewal negotiations with Arsenal, it is clear he carry high demands with him, wherever he lands.
Clubs in Saudi Arabia have already expressed strong interest, while several of Turkey’s heavy-hitters are prepared to offer him improved wages.
However, sources close to Partey’s situation have revealed that he would prefer a sideways move to a team competing in Europe’s top five leagues.
Reports in Italy have suggested Juventus and AC Milan hold tentative interest, but FootItalia understand Napoli are readying an approach.
Napoli had been close to agreement with USA international Yunus Musah earlier this month, but the AC Milan midfielder looks to be closer to a move elsewhere.
That has forced Napoli back into the midfield market, with Antonio Conte keen to add reinforcements to his Scudetto winning side for next season.
With Gil Azzurri already making waves this window with the signing of Kevin De Bruyne, they are utilizing the free agent market to great effect.
De Bruyne agreed to take a significant wage cut to join Napoli, and although Partey is at a slightly more favorable point in his career, he will likely have to do the same if he accepts their approach.
Napoli’s sporting director, Giovanni Manna, tried desperately to bring in Partey whilst in charge at former employers Juventus, and sees this market opportunity as too attractive to pass up.
Partey Would Become Napoli’s Highest Earner
Although Napoli would likely be unwilling to match Partey’s Arsenal wages, sources indicate a proposal would still include a salary that would make him Napoli’s highest earner.
It is unclear what that level of renumeration would be, but Romelu Lukaku — the club’s highest earner — pockets around $172,000 per-week. It is unlikely Napoli would be able to lure him with a proposal that undercuts that amount, so he would likely enter as the highest paid player.
According to live betting sites, a move to Saudi is still thought to be the most likely destination as he enters the latter stages of his career, but Napoli’s interest may turn his head.
