Thomas Partey 'tells Arsenal he wants January exit'

Thomas Partey is reportedly eager to leave Arsenal during the January transfer window.

The midfielder is currently in his fourth season at the Emirates Stadium after joining in a £45.3m deal from Atletico Madrid.

Overall, the transfer can be regarded in a positive light, Partey making a total of 81 starts and 23 substitute outings at a time when the Gunners have reclaimed a place in the Champions League.

However, despite playing 33 times in the Premier League during 2022-23, the 30-year-old's influence at the North Londoners has decreased in recent months.

A groin injury has played its part in Partey falling down the pecking order under Mikel Arteta, but he has not started a single Premier League fixture this campaign in central midfield.

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Instead, Partey was deployed at right-back during the opening three league matches of 2023-24 and he has just 15 minutes of Premier League action to his name since the end of August.

Reports have recently emerged that the Ghana international could be sold in one of the upcoming transfer windows, a consequence of less than two years being left on his contract.

According to Tutto Mercato, Partey has already informed Arsenal that he is open to a departure.

While that is largely down to his game time, there may also be an acceptance that he will turn 31 years of age before next season, something which may influence any admirers.

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The report suggests that Juventus are currently the frontrunners to negotiate a deal for Partey at the turn of the year, despite their recent financial issues.

That said, it is added that Partey will also be interested in a transfer to another Premier League club or a return to Spain.

With Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard certain starters for Arsenal when fit, Partey is effectively in competition with Jorginho, Mohamed Elneny, Fabio Vieira and Kai Havertz for the other spot in the engine room.

Partey is currently sidelined with another injury, with Arteta saying on October 31 that he expected the player to be sidelined for "weeks".