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Manchester United are told to sign Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey this summer
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince urges the club to make a move for Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey this summer.
After an excellent first three-quarters of last season for the Gunners, Partey fell away in the run-in and lacked the gas needed during the important part of the campaign. Mikel Arteta not having a squad depth to rotate in that position probably proved costly.
The 30-year-old’s contract at the Emirates Stadium runs until the summer of 2025 (Transfermarkt). Arsenal are open to selling him this summer though if a suitable offer comes in.
Here’s what Ince said on who United should sign to further bolster the midfield (h/t Betway, via Metro):
“Obviously, there’s a lot of talk about Caicedo. 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.”
Apart from Jorginho, Arsenal are set to sign Declan Rice from West Ham United. So one can understand why they are opting to sell Partey.
Moreover, the Ghana international is 30 years old now. United, on the other hand, have signed Mason Mount from Chelsea to add a bit of substance in central midfield.
With Scott McTominay expected to leave in the summer and we do not know much about Fred, there is a case for the Red Devils to sign a defensive midfielder who can play the backup role to Casemiro.
In that sense, Partey could be a sensible signing for Erik ten Hag. But, there is always a reservation about whether Arsenal would prefer selling one of their key assets to a direct rival in the league.
It is not as if this hasn’t happened before. Robin van Persie was signed by United just at the time when the Dutchman was flying in North London.
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All of it depends on ten Hag. Does the Dutchman want another defensive midfielder or is he looking at a deeper-lying midfielder who can play as a number eight too?
