Arsenal gives Thomas Partey permission to explore Saudi Arabia transfer

According to information obtained by 90min, Arsenal has granted midfielder Thomas Partey permission to explore a potential transfer to the Saudi Pro League.

The league has attracted significant investment, with notable players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema already making moves there this year. Other players, including Lionel Messi, Hakim Ziyech, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Ruben Neves, are also rumored to be considering transfers to Saudi Arabia.

Partey joined Arsenal in a £45 million transfer from Atletico Madrid in 2020 and played in 33 out of 38 Premier League games this past season, contributing to the Gunners’ first title challenge in 15 years. However, Arsenal is currently looking to reshape its promising young squad and is open to the departure of the 30-year-old midfielder, despite recently securing a Champions League spot. This decision comes just three years after Partey became the fourth most expensive player in Arsenal’s history.

It is widely reported that one of the reasons a permanent transfer to Saudi Arabia is appealing to Partey, as opposed to a loan move within Europe, is that it would immediately alleviate the wage bill. Additionally, Arsenal hopes to potentially make a profit by selling Partey for more than the £45 million they initially paid for him.

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Partey might not be the only midfielder leaving Arsenal, as Granit Xhaka has already agreed to join Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen. However, Arsenal will only allow Xhaka to depart once they have finalized a deal for his replacement.

The Gunners are leading the pursuit of West Ham and England star Declan Rice, who is valued by his current club at over £100 million. Arsenal has engaged in talks with West Ham but had their initial bid for Rice rejected for falling short of the asking price.