Juventus emerge as contenders for Arsenal's Thomas Partey?

Despite playing an important role for the Gunners in the 2022-23 campaign, the 30-year-old could be allowed to leave this summer as Mikel Arteta freshens up his engine room with young talent.

Partey - who has struggled with injuries since arriving at Arsenal from Atletico Madrid in 2020 - only has two years left to run on his contract at the Emirates, and his form noticeably dipped towards the end of last season.

Several teams in Saudi Arabia are believed to be keeping a close eye on developments surrounding the Ghana international, who could be allowed to leave for a €40m (£34.4m) fee this summer.

Now, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claims that Juventus have also emerged as contenders to sign Partey from Arsenal and have touched base with the relevant parties to discuss a move.

Romano adds that Partey is yet to make a decision on his long-term future, but Juve could move for the 30-year-old as a replacement for Adrien Rabiot.

Rabiot was the subject of interest from Manchester United last summer and was thought to be on the verge of a move to Old Trafford, only for his agent and mother Veronique Rabiot to scupper the deal over wage demands.

However, the Frenchman could now depart the Allianz Stadium when his contract expires at the end of the month, and Man United are being tipped to reignite their interest in a possible free transfer.

Partey arrived at Arsenal late in the summer of 2020 for a €50m (£43.1m) fee, and the Ghanaian has since scored five goals and set up four more in 99 appearances for the Gunners in all tournaments.

The midfielder largely put his injury woes behind him last term and was a key cog in Arteta's system alongside Granit Xhaka, making 28 Premier League starts and scoring three goals.

Partey found the back of the net with long-range strikes against Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest, but he ended the season in an unfamiliar right-back role after losing his place in midfield to Jorginho.

Both Partey and Xhaka could be heading for the exit door at the Emirates Stadium this summer, as the latter is expected to return to the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen in a £13m deal.

Xhaka's move could go through once Arsenal secure the signature of Chelsea's Kai Havertz, who is expected to undergo his medical this weekend after a £65m fee was agreed between the two clubs.

Meanwhile, the Gunners are still working on a deal for West Ham United's Declan Rice as a successor to Partey, but they have already failed with two offers for the 24-year-old.

Furthermore, Manchester City are now said to be preparing their opening bid for Rice as the Gunners refuse to meet West Ham's asking price, which is thought to be as much as £120m.