Thomas Partey was never particularly close to signing a new contract at Arsenal, with Andrea Berta now eyeing Lucien Agoume as the player’s replacement, Arsenal Insider understands.
Partey enjoyed his most injury-free campaign in North London last season, making 52 appearances across all competitions for the Gunners.
Arsenal offered Partey a new contract, and many assumed he’d accept this offer, but it now appears increasingly likely that he will reject the proposal on the table.
The Ghanaian has interest from Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and clubs in the Saudi Pro League, and Berta has subsequently set about securing a replacement.
Arsenal eye Lucien Agoume as Thomas Partey edges towards exit door
Martin Zubimendi is set to sign for Arsenal from Real Sociedad, while Jorginho has already left for Flamengo this summer.
If Partey goes as well, the Gunners will need to bring another midfielder in, to ensure Mikel Arteta’s squad isn’t one man short in the middle of the park next season.
Lucien Agoume has been linked with Arsenal, and Arsenal Insider can confirm that the Sevilla star is on the Gunners’ radar.
Transfer expert Graeme Bailey told Arsenal Insider that the Gunners have long admired Agoume and that they view him as a replacement for Partey.
“We know they’ve been interested in Agoume for a while; it’s not a new link,” he said.
“We know Arsenal have done stuff on him, they’re aware of him, and they like the player. They view him as a potential Partey replacement, if he does go, which looks increasingly likely.
“If he goes, and Jorginho has also gone, then they feel they need two in. Agoume fits well and would be relatively cheap given Sevilla’s financial difficulties. It could be a relatively straightforward deal to get done.”
Agoume is valued at less than £17 million, as Sevilla are in desperate need of raising funds to ease the financial pressures on them.
Partey could yet make a late U-turn and accept Arsenal’s offer, but it’s looking increasingly likely that he’ll instead head for the exit door.
While the exact details of the contract on offer aren’t known, it’s understood that the Gunners have no intention of offering the 31-year-old a pay rise, which is what he’s looking for.
“It’s just what we said before, he’s considered a free agent now, and a new contract was never nearly done,” Bailey said.
“He hasn’t accepted the offer on the table now. I always felt he was more likely out the door than in.”
Thomas Partey and Lucien Agoume’s statistics compared
The expectation was that Zubimendi would essentially replace Partey, and that the Ghana international would then drop down to the Jorginho role from last season.
Agoume would therefore assume a similar level of prominence in Arteta’s team to Jorginho, and thus, the Gunners only need the Frenchman to occasionally fill in for Zubimendi, but mostly to perform in cup competitions.
His statistical profile suggests he’d be more than capable of fulfilling such a role, as he actually profiles similarly to Partey.
| Statistical Comparison 2024/25 (All Competitions) | ||
| Stat | Partey | Agoume |
| Appearances | 35 | 35 |
| Pass Accuracy | 87.4% | 81.5% |
| Progressive Passes per 90 | 5.95 | 5.74 |
| Key Passes per 90 | 0.64 | 1.15 |
| Progressive Carries per 90 | 1.16 | 1.23 |
| Tackles per 90 | 2.86 | 2.98 |
| Interceptions per 90 | 1.13 | 1.74 |
While the former Atletico man is more secure on the ball, the two players are equally as effective at getting the ball up the pitch, while Agoume produces more defensively.
Much younger and more mobile, the 23-year-old may ultimately prove to be a more youthful version of Partey, boasting a similar ability to manipulate the ball in tight areas to evade a press.
If Arsenal get the deal done, it would represent a very astute piece of recruitment.
from Arsenal FC Transfer News, Rumours, Loan Deals & Signings | Arsenal Insider
Alfie Cairns Culshaw