Thomas Partey: Andrea Berta may hold key to Arsenal midfielder’s future

Arteta gave a cryptic answer when asked about Partey’s contractual situation last week.

Asked if there had been any progress, Arteta said: “Yes, there is progress with all the players.

“I’ll leave that to [sporting director] Andrea [Berta] and the club to decide and to talk about.”

Pushed further whether the intention is to keep Partey, Arteta added: “The intention is very clear. I’ll leave that to Andrea and the club to take a step forward.”

The fact Partey is yet to sign a new contract with only a month of the season to go might seem to suggest the club are not urgently seeking to retain him.

Conversations are ongoing as to whether Arsenal offer Partey a new contract.

Whether that signals a significant change of approach for the Gunners remains to be seen, but according to well-placed sources Berta’s arrival as sporting director has provided an alternative outlook as to whether Partey could have a future beyond the end of the season.

Berta and Partey have a long-standing relationship having worked together at Atletico Madrid and it was Berta who sanctioned Partey’s move to Arsenal for £45m in 2020.

One factor Arsenal will be considering will be the expected arrival of Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad in the summer – would Partey still have a regular role in Arteta’s team if the Spain international signed?

With that in mind, it makes little financial sense to offer Partey a contract similar to the £200,000-per-week he is currently earning if he will not be starting most weeks.

It is also key to remember that last season he managed just 15 appearances for the Gunners because of persistent injury concerns, though the groin surgery he underwent at the end of 2023 is understood to have cleared up those ongoing issues.

Nevertheless, his age and his previous injury record over the course of his stay have been considerations – among other factors – regarding any offer of an extension.

If Partey were to leave there is said to be growing interest from abroad.

He has been linked with a return to Atletico Madrid, while Barcelona are said to be interested in signing him on a free transfer. There is also believed to be interest from Saudi Arabia.