Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince has urged his old side to make a shock move for Arsenal's Thomas Partey this summer. It comes as the Gunners look to rework their central ranks in the transfer window, with Mikel Arteta hopeful of adding quality and depth to the department.
Kai Havertz is one option already added, joining from Chelsea in a £65million deal as the head coach has detailed his plans to play him in midfield. Another that could be set to make the move is Declan Rice as the West Ham captain closes in on a £105million club-record switch.
Alongside the pair, there's the possibility of a third player as a whole host of options have been linked with the deeper midfield role, such as Romeo Lavia at Southampton or Moises Caicedo from Brighton. With that in mind, there will be a need to find balance within the squad, which could lead to exits.
football.london understands that Thomas Partey is one of the players the Gunners would be open to selling this summer if a suitable offer were to come in. The 30-year-old has just two-years remaining on his contract at the Emirates Stadium and reports have linked him with move to Italy and Saudi Arabia.
With other deals to be sealed before exits, it remains to be seen whether a Partey move is on the cards or where he could end up this summer. However, former United midfielder Ince would like to see the Ghanaian make the move to Old Trafford in the coming weeks.
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He told Betway: "Obviously, there's a lot of talk about Caicedo [to Manchester United]. I like Franck Kessie at Barcelona. He's not getting enough game time. There's also talk about Thomas Partey leaving Arsenal. You think about the first six months of the season, Partey was absolutely fantastic. Jorginho came in and, for some reason, he stopped getting games. That's when Arsenal started losing and drawing games. I'd be looking at someone like him or Kessie."
The move could see Partey replace Casemiro in the side, just months after the pair were part of a debate as to who may be better than the other. Former Red Devils defender Rio Ferdinand may have already warned against a move though, claiming the Brazilian is a far better player.
He said on his Vibe with Five Podcast: "I think the importance to their teams...you could argue both sides quite equally. But then, when you through the stats in Casemiro wipes him [Partey] away... No, no no. I don't think Partey is good enough defensively to do what Casemiro is doing, I don't think he has the impact defensively for Man United, on the ball he's doing more."
