BREAKING NEWS: Everyone is now perceiving me as a nasty guy; nobody even wants to hear my side of the story; I’m not meant to say this, but I’ll say it now to clear the air. Mikel Arteta has now revealed what happened between him and Thomas Partey in the dressing room that led to his unexpected departure.
Arsenal will lose Thomas Partey and sign Christian Norgaard as his replacement.
Arsenal could live to regret losing Thomas Partey on a free transfer this summer after Fabrizio Romano confirmed his departure at the end of his contract, while Mikel Arteta turned down an offer to sign Brentford’s Christian Norgaard as his replacement.
The Gunners had hoped to tie down the Ghanaian midfielder – a £45 million (€50 million, $61 million) signing from Atletico Madrid in 2020 – to a new deal, since his present one expires at the end of the season. And, with the midfielder’s form improving for Arsenal in the final months of the season, Arteta was driving the push to sign him to a contract extension.
However, following weeks of negotiations and a succession of failed offers, it was eventually revealed on Wednesday that Partey would leave Emirates Stadium at the end of the month.
Fabrizio Romano, writing on X, revealed that Thomas Partey is expected to leave Arsenal as a free agent at the end of the month, as reported last week. Arsenal has already activated possibilities to replace Thomas with Norgaard, while talks with Brentford continue.
Ultimately, the Gunners did not offer the 32-year-old generous enough conditions to persuade him to stay, and insiders say the player is now set to negotiate a lucrative free transfer move to Saudi Arabia, with a wage package ready to outbid Arsenal’s offer.
News of the Ghanaian’s impending departure, however, has not gone down well with a large number of Arsenal supporters, and former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness feels his departure would be one the Gunners ‘live to regret’, having blamed player power for the inability to sign a new contract.
“He’s a talented individual. I enjoy seeing Thomas Partey play. “He’s my type of player when it comes to getting stuck in,” Wyness remarked on the Inside Track podcast.
“It would be a defeat, but that’s the name of the game now. We’ve seen it with player power in a variety of situations. We saw it at Liverpool with Trent [Alexander-Arnold].
“We’ve noticed it in other regions. I’m afraid this is to be expected. Arsenal wants another year out of him, and I believe Arteta would like him. He wants that experience to last, but I don’t think it will.
Arsenal transfers: Why Arteta wanted Norgaard instead of Sevilla man
Speaking before Partey’s departure was confirmed, Wyness said: “I do expect Partey to leave, and Arsenal have just got to accept that; it’s just the way the modern game is right now.”
“I believe they tried to keep him for a longer-term contract earlier, but his agent and he have decided it’s time for a change and a new contract somewhere else. He has talent and will succeed wherever he goes.”
While Partey’s place in the team was almost certainly replaced by Martin Zubimendi, the Gunners, like all good teams, require depth.
And, ahead of Partey’s exit, Arsenal has quickly agreed to sign Norgaard from Brentford for a fee of £10 million, which may rise to £15 million with bonuses and add-ons for the 31-year-old.
According to BBC Sport, Arsenal considered Sevilla’s Lucien Agoume as a substitute, but ultimately chose Norgaard at Arteta’s urging.
And they report that the Arsenal boss preferred a player who was ‘Premier League ready’ to fill the vacuum left by the departures of Jorginho and Partey, rather than taking a chance on a 23-year-old.
Arsenal have also been warned what to expect from the 35-times capped Danish international by his former manager, Thomas Frank, who was keen to compliment his countryman after signing a new contract with the Bees earlier this year.
“This new contract was a no-brainer for us and Christian,” Frank explained at the time.
“Christian has been a vital part of the great adventure we have been on over the last six years. He is our club’s captain and one of its most significant players.
“His ability to sense danger and make interceptions is exceptional, as is his ability to play forward with the first or second touch.
“And he has increased his goal threat this season! Christian was a No.10 when I first started coaching him; now he is one of the Premier League’s greatest defensive midfielders. I’m extremely happy.
“Hopefully, we can continue to be successful together with Christian leading the team.”
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