Arsenal’s Transfer U-Turn: Partey to Stay as Arteta Targets Striking Trio

In a surprising twist, Arsenal is set to retain Thomas Partey for another season, despite ongoing rumors of his departure.

Meanwhile, manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu have identified three potential striker signings as they look to bolster the squad for a Premier League and Champions League push.

Thomas Partey Set to Stay Amid Midfield Reinforcements

Thomas Partey’s future at Arsenal has been the subject of much speculation, especially after an injury-riddled season that saw him make only 16 appearances.

Groin and hamstring issues limited the 31-year-old midfielder’s involvement, with Jorginho stepping in during his absence.

Given Partey’s injury history and his advancing age, Arsenal has been actively seeking midfield reinforcements.

Initially linked with Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, Arsenal is now close to securing a deal for his teammate, Mikel Merino.

Talks with Sociedad are reportedly advanced, with a transfer fee in the range of £25-30 million.

Although personal terms with the Spanish international have been agreed upon, the deal has taken longer than expected, leaving Merino with a significant decision to make.

Despite the anticipated arrival of Merino, recent reports from Spain suggest that Mikel Arteta has opted to keep Partey at the Emirates for another season.

Arteta has reportedly dismissed any potential exit opportunities for the Ghanaian, prioritizing a strong midfield to compete with Manchester City for domestic and European honors.

With Merino likely joining the squad, Partey will compete for a starting spot alongside Declan Rice, Jorginho, and Martin Odegaard.

Arteta and Edu Identify Striker Targets

While the midfield appears to be taking shape, Arsenal’s attention has also turned to strengthening their attack.

Arteta and Edu have drawn up a shortlist of three strikers, aiming to add firepower up front.

One option is Santiago Gimenez of Feyenoord, who has impressed since joining the Dutch club two years ago, scoring 26 goals in 41 games last season.

Arsenal’s North London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, were rumored to be interested in Gimenez but have since signed Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth, potentially clearing the path for Arsenal.

Another target is Viktor Gyokeres, currently at Sporting Lisbon.

Arsenal had cooled their interest in Gyokeres following a knee injury, but with the Swede now back to full fitness, the Gunners are once again monitoring him.

Sporting is reportedly open to selling Gyokeres for a fee between £50-60 million, down from his previous valuation of £80 million.

The final name on Arsenal’s radar is Brighton’s young sensation, Evan Ferguson.

The 19-year-old has attracted interest from Manchester United and Chelsea, but his potential has also caught the attention of Arteta.

While Ferguson is seen as a player for the future, some Arsenal fans may prefer a more established striker like Gimenez or Gyokeres.

Player Sales Could Fund Striker Pursuit

Before any new striker can be brought in, Arsenal will need to offload some of their current players. Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson are among those who could be sold to raise funds for these potential signings.

With Partey now likely to stay and Merino’s arrival on the horizon, Arsenal’s focus will shift to securing one of their top striker targets as the transfer window progresses.