Arsenal are preparing to replace Thomas Partey, with Sevilla midfielder Lucien Agoume on their list of candidates.
Partey’s contract at the Emirates expires at the end of June and despite talks over a new deal, no agreement has been reached.
Martin Zubimendi is expected to arrive from Real Sociedad in the near future, but the Gunners were seemingly keen to keep hold of Partey as well, at least on a short-term deal.
However, as the end of his contract gets ever closer the likelihood that the Ghanaian will leave increases, with the likes of Fenerbache, Barcelona and AC Milan linked with a move for him on a free transfer.
Reports in Spain suggest that Arsenal are eyeing up another midfield signing if Partey does depart, with Agoume a player of interest to them.
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The interest in the 23-year-old is not new, with the Gunners linked with him in the January transfer window last season.
Nothing came of the situation in the winter, but Arsenal are said to be monitoring the midfielder’s situation and see the France Under-21 international as a candidate to add competition in central midfield.
Agoume’s rise
The Cameroon-born star made his professional debut with Sochaux at just 16 years old before moving to Inter Milan in 2018.
He played just four times for the Italian giants and spent loan spells at Spezia, Brest, Troyes and then Sevilla, who he joined in January 2024.
Sevilla were suitably impressed to make the deal permanent last summer, managing to do so for less than €10m to sign Agoume, although Inter inserted a 50 per cent sell-on clause.
Agoume made 37 appearances for Sevilla last season in all competitions, scoring just one goal in La Liga.
Getty Images)
What has Partey said about his future?
Partey spoke out about his own future last week and it is fair to say he did not entirely clear up the situation.
Asked if Zubimendi’s imminent arrival was playing on his mind, he told 3 Sports: ‘I think the first thing is where are you happy and where do you feel at home. At the end of the day you’ve been in football, you’ve been in different teams.
‘Then it’s about what is your next objective what do you want to achieve next. You still have to look at all this and at the end of the day we all have a family that needs money, this is our mind.
‘We are not getting younger. There are a lot of things where you have to look now with a family, where you want them to be happy. When you go out nobody is going to destroy your family, these are things you have to look at. When you are young you just anywhere.
‘I’m an Arsenal fan, I can’t decide anything and just have to leave it to may agent and the club. Me, I just want to enjoy football.’
Zubimendi has attracted interest from Real Madrid this summer but Arsenal are still expected to get their man, agreeing to pay more than his release clause to sign him for around £55m.
However, manager Mikel Arteta would be disappointed to see Partey leave. Clear on whether he wanted the midfielder to sign a new contract when asked in May: ‘Yes. I think consistency-wise it’s been his best season. The way he’s played, performed, his availability, has been exceptional and he’s a really important player for us.’
