Mikel Arteta handed new transfer dilemma after Paul Pogba plan becomes clear

30 October 2023 , 12:18

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Thomas Partey's future at Arsenal is uncertain (Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Juventus will look to use the wages saved on midfielder Paul Pogba to land Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey in a loan deal in January.

Pogba is facing a long-term ban from football after testing positive in a B test and the Italian giants are desperate to bring in a replacement. Meanwhile, Nicolo Fagioli has been handed a ban for at least seven months over breaches of betting rules.

The Bianconeri are without two of their midfielders for the remainder of the campaign with Gunners midfielder Partey strongly linked with a move. The 30-year-old has started just three Premier League matches to date this campaign and is growing frustrated with his fitness and lack of minutes.

Partey moved to the north London club from Atletico Madrid in 2020 and was an integral figure for several years, proving to be influential in last season's Premier League title push. However, his role this season appears to be somewhat diminished.

A report in TuttoJuve outlines how Partey is growing increasingly frustrated with his status at the Gunners and is keen for more first-team football. Juve are said to be monitoring his situation and are eyeing a loan deal as early as January.

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Arteta has already clarified that he believed the Ghanaian could play alongside summer signing Declan Rice : "Without a question of a doubt, Thomas Partey is a super important player for us and for me. I want him to be in the team. Every time I spoke to him and every time I have a conversation with him, his will is to stay with us. For me, there's nothing there at all."

The Gunners boss also added: "They can play together and that was in my plans. You want to improve the squad and have more quality. We need players who can play together but we need players in the same position who can fight for their places. It's something we haven't had over the last few years and we wanted to improve that and that's why we bought Declan."

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Partey has fallen behind Declan Rice in the pecking order

Despite Arteta's plans, Partey's minutes have been hampered with the midfielder previously a regular alongside Granit Xhaka at the base of midfield before the Swiss star opted to leave in the summer and return to the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen.

Arteta confirmed last week that Partey had suffered another injury setback that will lead to an unspecified layoff. “Thomas picked up an injury in training yesterday,” he told TNT Sports ahead of the clash against Sevilla in the Champions League. “We don't know the extent of it. Unfortunately, he's a big miss for us.”

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Colin Millar