Arsenal could look to replace experienced midfield duo Thomas Partey and Jorginho next summer with links to a Spanish star.
According to Football Insider, Arsenal could ponder offloading both Thomas Partey and Jorginho next summer. The experienced duo are coming to the end of their contracts, and there are doubts whether the club will offer extensions, with a rising Spanish star seen as a viable replacement.
Thomas Partey and Jorginho to leave Arsenal?
Arsenal have one of the most formidable midfield setups on the continent, with Declan Rice, Thomas Partey, Mikel Merino and Jorginho all part of it. In addition, Martin Odegaard also tends to play a hybrid role between the central zones and the No.10 position, which does allow Mikel Arteta the flexibility he needs.
While Rice and Odegaard represent long-term options, Merino also has a few years at the top level. However, there are significant doubts about Thomas Partey and Jorginho’s future, with the experienced duo already in the final year of their respective contracts.
The report states that Arsenal will let go of the experienced duo next summer, as they remain an integral part of the squad this season. Partey has started all three games so far, while Jorginho has yet to play a single minute. Arsenal were interested in selling the Italian in the latter stages of the window when Galatasaray showed interest.
As for Partey, he had decided to stay, as recent fitness issues may have prevented a big offer from coming in. When they do depart, Arsenal plans on replacing them with younger talent that offers longevity to Arteta’s plan. However, losing both stars for their experience will lead to some questions being asked.
Arsenal’s replacement options
For starters, Arsenal may not have to look for ideal replacements when Jorginho and Partey depart. Academy stars Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri are seemingly ready to be integrated into the first team, and the current season might represent a breakthrough campaign for the young duo.
Arsenal are also linked with Javi Guerra, the Valencia midfielder with a €100 million release clause. According to reports, neither the Gunners nor Valencia are willing to pay that much, nor are They planning on demanding the release clause. Hence, he might be a good option for the future, as the Spaniard could be an excellent long-term solution to Arteta’s project.
