There is a looming controversy in the camp of Arsenal over the future of Ghanaian midfielder, Thomas Partey, after the club renewed the contract of Italian player, Jorginho.
Jorginho signed a new short-term contract with Arsenal to keep him at the Emirates Stadium till at least the next year.
The Italian international joined from Chelsea on transfer deadline day in January 2023 for a fee of up to £12 million.
Although initially an unpopular addition, Jorginho has gone on to establish himself as a key member of Mikel Arteta's squad, making 51 appearances.
With the renewal of the 32-year-old former Chelsea player's contract, fans have begun expressing their concerns over the uncertainty of Thomas Partey’s future at the Emirates.
The 30-year-old Ghanaian, who joined Mikel Arteta’s side in 2020, has one year left on his contract.
Since joining the Gunners, Partey has become an instrumental force in the midfield, ensuring his dominance in the heart of the field and leading Arsenal to become one of the strongest title contenders for the Premier League title.
With Arteta having a number of options in midfield, such as Declan Rice, Jorginho, and Mohamed Elneny, it appears the Gunners might want to trade the former Atletico Madrid player.
Already, some clubs in the Saudi League have expressed interest in Partey, while the likes of Juventus and Barcelona are reported to be eyeing the midfielder.
Should Arsenal fail to renew Partey’s deal, the former Atletico Madrid man could leave for a fee between £20 to £25 million.
Since the renewal of Jorginho’s contract, fans have been reacting and asking for Partey’s contract to be renewed.
With Arsenal set to play five competitions next season, fans want the club to keep Partey.
Below are some of the comments from Arsenal fans:
JNA/NOQ
i don’t like that they renewed jorginho instead of partey (personally)
— ö (@olamilly_v2) May 9, 2024
It will be so annoying if Arteta keeps Jorginho and sell Partey
— kamusiime robert (@kamusiimerobe12) May 10, 2024
Partey is not leaving. Jorginho is basically taking Elneny’s role. Partey will take Jorginho’s role and we would get an LCM. My first choice is FDJ.
— Uncle Okey (@CzarArchie) May 10, 2024
Partey won’t leave. Partey far better than Jorginho
— Benjamin Essel Acquah (@BenEsselAcquah1) May 10, 2024
Partey won’t leave. Partey far better than Jorginho
— Benjamin Essel Acquah (@BenEsselAcquah1) May 10, 2024
Partey has a year left on his contract too.
— Sakanelli (@saka_neli) May 9, 2024
So I guess both will gradually be faced out next season.
Well, except Partey proves he can stay fit for extended periods of the season, then he might get a year extension while Jorginho is the only one let go next summer. https://t.co/udYW1SwvQj
Does this mean Partey will be shown the door? Is this another Elneny situation? Why would Mikel keep Jorginho who hardly plays? This will obviously stop Arsenal from signing a midfielder or sell Partey and replace him. When will Trossard sign a new deal? pic.twitter.com/mDUED5GlX9
— Nyvan G (@GreevilleE) May 10, 2024
Jorginho staying means Partey out and an eight in. Are you happy with that? pic.twitter.com/74PSTJfNpq
— Dok (@afcdok) May 9, 2024
Jorginho news means in my eyes Arsenal will prioritise that athletic 1v1 profile in the engine room to complement Rice. Partey is an elite level player but he can’t be relied upon availability wise. We need an extra duel winner for a number of reasons.
— RohanJivan (@RjArsenalBlog) May 10, 2024
Thomas Partey will be in a better club but who wants Jorginho😭😭 https://t.co/nsMA9YdPFD pic.twitter.com/2Az9wOVFQx
— 🐙 (@parteysznx) May 9, 2024
partey and jorginho staying so that mean no new midfielder 😒 pic.twitter.com/fe2lIV0plG
— Franklineworld (@franklineworld1) May 9, 2024
Are we planning on keeping Jorginho and selling partey ?? pic.twitter.com/E5GUZSlbnP
— 𝑲𝒊𝒛𝒊𝒕𝒐🩸 (@mazi_ki) May 9, 2024
The contract renewal for Jorginho means that Edu is keen on retaining our best experienced players, Thomas Partey should stay as well. pic.twitter.com/P36t3AtnrO
— ᴘʀɪɴᴄᴇ ꜱᴀɴʏᴀ ᴍᴏᴢᴇ ™🇺🇬 (@IamPrinceSanya2) May 9, 2024
Thomas Partey standout performance makes Jorginho hype irrelevant.pic.twitter.com/5Js1Kpcqk0
— SANATAN (@Eternaldharma_) May 9, 2024
Extending Jorginho’s contract over Thomas Partey is totally criminal!
— 🐙 (@parteysznx) May 3, 2024
Thomas Partey is pure class pic.twitter.com/hqEef2HFMJ
