Arsenal Confirm Departures of Key Players as Partey Contract Talks Continue | OneFootball

Contract Talks and Departures Set to Shape Arsenal’s Future

As Arsenal navigate the crucial summer transfer window, the club has confirmed ongoing contract talks with Thomas Partey while revealing several significant departures from the club. While Partey remains a key figure in Mikel Arteta’s midfield, the futures of Jorginho and Kieran Tierney are now confirmed to lie elsewhere, setting the stage for key changes at the Emirates.

Partey’s Future in North London

Arsenal have confirmed they are in negotiations with Thomas Partey regarding a new contract, with the Ghanaian midfielder’s current deal set to expire at the end of this month. Partey, who has been a pivotal player for the Gunners since his £45 million move from Atletico Madrid in 2020, is attracting significant interest from several high-profile clubs. Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, and Juventus are all reported to be monitoring his situation closely. Additionally, clubs in Saudi Arabia have also been tracking the midfielder.

Photo IMAGO

Despite this growing interest, Standard Sport understands that Partey’s preference is to stay at Arsenal. This stance is a positive sign for the club, as Arteta looks to strengthen his squad for the upcoming season. Arsenal’s announcement of ongoing contract discussions reflects their intent to retain the 30-year-old, who has become an integral part of their midfield engine room.

The outcome of these talks could have a significant impact on Arsenal’s transfer strategy. With Partey’s vast experience and technical quality, keeping him at the club would be crucial for Arteta’s plans, particularly as the Gunners look to build on their recent success in both domestic and European competitions.

Jorginho and Tierney Confirmed Departures

While Partey’s future at Arsenal remains up in the air, the club has confirmed the departures of two key figures. Jorginho, who joined Arsenal from Chelsea in January 2023, will be leaving the club when his contract expires. Despite his contribution to Arsenal’s midfield during a challenging season, Jorginho’s time at the Emirates will come to an end, with reports suggesting he is set to sign for Brazilian club Flamengo.

Similarly, Kieran Tierney is also on his way out of Arsenal, with a move to his boyhood club, Celtic, reportedly already in the works. Tierney, a fan favourite, has struggled for game time under Arteta in recent seasons, with the emergence of Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back pushing the Scottish international further down the pecking order. A return to Celtic represents a fresh chapter for Tierney, where he will likely be a key figure in the side.

Both players will leave the club with the best wishes of the Arsenal faithful, who will remember Jorginho’s pivotal role in key moments and Tierney’s tireless performances for the Gunners.

Photo: IMAGO

Neto, Sterling, and Youth Departures

Arsenal have also confirmed the departure of Neto, who will be returning to Bournemouth after a loan spell. Neto’s brief stint at Arsenal saw him serve as a backup goalkeeper, but he is unlikely to feature in Arteta’s plans moving forward. Similarly, Raheem Sterling will be heading back to Chelsea after a season-long loan at the Emirates. While Sterling’s time at Arsenal was relatively short, he was involved in several key matches and added depth to the squad.

In addition to these senior departures, Arsenal have confirmed that several youth players will also be leaving the club. Among the departures are Jack Henry-Francis, Jimi Gower, and Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, all of whom featured for the first team last season, albeit in limited capacities. These players, who have made appearances on the bench in Premier League matches, will now be seeking new opportunities elsewhere.

In total, 17 players across both Arsenal’s senior and youth teams will be leaving when their contracts expire at the end of this month. While some will leave with the club’s best wishes, others, particularly the youth prospects, will be hoping to continue their careers elsewhere.