Berta May Hold Key To Partey's Arsenal Future

Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey's early remains unclear but precocious appointed sporting head Andrea Berta whitethorn person nan cardinal to unlocking nan uncertainty surrounding nan player's contractual impasse.

The 31-year-old is approaching nan extremity of what galore see his champion play since joining Arsenal, yet it remains to beryllium seen what comes adjacent for nan Gunners star.

His value was demonstrated by nan vexation shown astatine him picking up a booking that rules him retired of nan first limb of nan Champions League semi-final against Paris St-Germain. The yellowish paper came successful nan 85th infinitesimal for a needless speech pinch Dani Ceballos pinch nan people 5-1 successful Arsenal's favour.

He has go an integral personnel of Mikel Arteta's strongest team, making 45 appearances this season, and his absence against nan Parisians will beryllium a clear rustle to their hopes of progressing to nan final. It truthful seems inconceivable that he finds himself successful specified limbo but pinch Partey location is plentifulness to consider.

And nan guidance of recreation frankincense acold has been that nan Ghana world would time off nan Emirates Stadium erstwhile his statement expires astatine nan extremity of nan season.

Arteta gave a cryptic reply erstwhile asked astir Partey's contractual business past week.

Asked if location had been immoderate progress, Arteta said: "Yes, location is advancement pinch each nan players.

"I'll time off that to [sporting director] Andrea [Berta] and nan nine to determine and to talk about."

Pushed further whether nan volition is to support Partey, Arteta added: "The volition is very clear. I'll time off that to Andrea and nan nine to return a measurement forward."

The truth Partey is yet to motion a caller statement pinch only a period of nan play to spell mightiness look to propose nan nine are not urgently seeking to clasp him.

Conversations are ongoing arsenic to whether Arsenal connection Partey a caller contract.

Whether that signals a important alteration of attack for nan Gunners remains to beryllium seen, but according to well-placed sources Berta's presence arsenic sporting head has provided an replacement outlook arsenic to whether Partey could person a early beyond nan extremity of nan season.

Berta and Partey person a long-standing narration having worked together astatine Atletico Madrid and it was Berta who sanctioned Partey's move to Arsenal for £45m successful 2020.

One facet Arsenal will beryllium considering will beryllium nan expected presence of Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad successful nan summertime - would Partey still person a regular domiciled successful Arteta's squad if nan Spain world signed?

With that successful mind, it makes small financial consciousness to connection Partey a statement akin to nan £200,000-per-week he is presently earning if he will not beryllium starting astir weeks.

It is besides cardinal to retrieve that past play he managed conscionable 15 appearances for nan Gunners because of persistent wounded concerns, though nan groin room he underwent astatine nan extremity of 2023 is understood to person cleared up those ongoing issues.

Nevertheless, his property and his erstwhile wounded grounds complete nan people of his enactment person been considerations - among different factors - regarding immoderate connection of an extension.

If Partey were to time off location is said to beryllium increasing liking from abroad.

He has been linked pinch a return to Atletico Madrid, while Barcelona are said to beryllium willing successful signing him connected a free transfer. There is besides believed to beryllium liking from Saudi Arabia.