Thomas Partey will part ways with Arsenal at the end of his contract, bringing an end to a five-year spell at the Emirates. The Ghana international has reportedly decided not to renew his deal, with talks between his camp and the club breaking down, according to GHANAsoccernet.com.
Partey, 31, arrived in north London in 2020 from Atletico Madrid for £50 million and became a key figure in Mikel Arteta’s evolving project. After a season in which he largely avoided injury and delivered consistently strong performances, Arsenal had hoped to extend his stay.
However, Partey has opted to seek a new challenge. His decision appears to have been influenced by the impending arrival of Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, who is expected to step into the deep midfield role next season.
In an interview with 3 Sports, Partey explained that family, career longevity, and personal happiness were all key considerations in his decision-making.
“You have to think about where you are happy, where you feel at home,” Partey said. “At this stage of our careers, we have families to think about. When you’re young, you can go anywhere. But now, it’s about stability and protection for them.”
While he didn’t confirm his next move, Partey made it clear the final decision was out of his hands. “I’m an Arsenal fan. I just want to enjoy football and leave the rest to my agent and the club,” he added.
The midfielder reflected positively on his most recent campaign, calling it one of his best since joining the Gunners. “I think people will say that because I was available all season. But even when I wasn’t playing, I always gave my all. Every year, I’ve tried to give my best.”
Partey’s exit will likely be part of a broader summer reshuffle at Arsenal, with other players such as Oleksandr Zinchenko also reportedly on the list of potential departures.
With Zubimendi expected to arrive and the Gunners aggressively pursuing attacking reinforcements, Arteta’s squad could have a very different look by the start of the 2025/26 season.