Arsenal and Thomas Partey will not be continuing together.
The Ghana international’s contract at the Emirates Stadium is about to expire, and talks had been going on over a new deal.
However, news broke on Wednesday that Partey will leave Arsenal on a free transfer in July after the two parties failed to reach an agreement over terms.
Now, what happened during those negotiations has come to light.
Why contract talks between Arsenal and Thomas Partey collapsed
Arsenal’s plans for their midfield had to change recently.
The Gunners were always going to sign Martin Zubimendi, and he is set to become Mikel Arteta’s first-choice starter in the number six role next season.
African journalist Buchi Laba, who has accurately reported on Partey’s future over the last few weeks, has now shared what really happened behind the scenes.
It has been revealed that Arsenal’s original plan was to sign Zubimendi and keep Jorginho. That information, Laba says, was relayed to Partey at the start of last season.
However, once it became clear that Jorginho was going to leave for Flamengo, Arsenal offered Partey a new contract to keep him at the club.
But, after realising that his wage demands were too much, the two parties decided to part ways.
Laba said in a video on X: “Arsenal, having no choice after Jorginho decided to leave, went back to Thomas Partey and offered him a new contract.
“The contract was on the same wages. This was towards the end of the season. On the same wages, not reduced wages. Partey wanted more because he has been at Arsenal for five good years.
“He wanted more assurances, he wanted more playing time and also wanted an increase in wages.”
Laba went on to reveal that negotiations were pushed until after the end of the season, and once the two parties talked again, they decided to go their separate ways without any hard feelings.
“It was concluded respectfully that Partey leaves. That was how it happened. There were no fights; it was a mutual understanding. The club had this to offer, and Partey wanted this. That’s how the relationship ended between Thomas Partey and Arsenal.”
Andrea Berta was right to let Thomas Partey leave Arsenal
Partey is 32 already and is looking for the final big contract of his career.
The Ghana international is not wrong at all to demand an increase in wages, but it made no sense for the Gunners to accept his demands.
Partey was only going to be a backup at Arsenal next season, and paying him £200,000 a week is absurd in itself, let alone more than that.
Andrea Berta’s offer to Partey to keep him on the same wages was more than fair, but once he realised that the midfielder wanted more, he shook hands and walked away. That was the right thing to do.
Arsenal are now about to sign Christian Norgaard as his replacement, and his whole package — transfer fee and wages — will likely be cheaper than what it would’ve cost the club to keep Partey.
from Arsenal Transfer News | Rumours, Deals & Targets | Arsenal Insider
Shamanth Jayaram