Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar could be set to complete a rework of the midfield department this summer, with offers expected for Thomas Partey in the coming days.
The change in the central ranks was expected coming into the transfer window, with the Gunners looking to add long-term options to their squad. A move for Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz was missed out on deadline day last year, while an approach for Moises Caicedo late in January was turned down by Brighton.
With a quartet of Jorginho, Partey, Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny all tallying above 30-years-old in the midfield, change was expected in the summer. Xhaka ended his seven-year stay with the club on a high note, leaving with admiration from the fans and a brace against Wolves in his final game at the Emirates.
The Swiss international swapped Mikel Arteta for Xabi Alonso as he joined Bayer Leverkusen in a deal football.london understands to be worth roughly £21.5million. A replacement was already in the building though, as the Gunners confirmed a move for Kai Havertz from Chelsea.
While he played as a forward for the Blues, the £65million man will likely play in midfield as hinted at by Arteta when discussing his arrival. He doesn't appear to be the only one through the door as Declan Rice's switch to the Emirates Stadium appears to be edging even closer.
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The England international is readying a move worth a club-record £105million, with the final details set to be complete in the next few days. The 24-year-old could play in the deeper midfield role or in a more advanced position, but with such a huge deal, some other exits are likely too.
With two incomings complete, a second outgoing could come too, as football.london understands Partey could leave Arsenal this summer if a sufficient offer is received. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, new bids for the Ghanaian international are set to be received very soon.
He told CaughtOffside: "I'm told Saudi clubs will try to approach Thomas Partey again in the next few days. On the player side, the priority remains European football and he wants to continue in Europe. Let’s see if Saudi clubs will be able to change his mind.
"As previously reported, it will also be important to persuade Arsenal because they want an important fee to let Partey go.”
It remains to be seen whether such a move will be completed or not, but for Edu and his recruitment team, the squad is starting to take shape for the new season.
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