Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey will be leaving after three years with the club because as per reports, the Ghanaian international has agreed to move to the Saudi Pro League.
Like many other big footballers, Partey is about to head to the Middle East and he’s already agreed on personal terms. Granit Xhaka is heading to Germany but Mikel Arteta has signed Declan Rice as a direct replacement and once Thomas Partey heads out, the Gunners boss will look to bring in Saints midfielder Romeo Lavia
Journalist Ben Jacobs is claiming that Southampton’s Romeo Lavia will be target number one for Arsenal once Partey moves to Saudi Arabia.
The North London side had paid £45 million to Atletico Madrid for the midfielder and particularly last season, Thomas Partey had formed a formidable partnership with Granit Xhaka. However, Mikel Arteta is very clear that he wants a midfield revamp and a pairing of Rice and Lavia could be the perfect upgrade for the next campaign.
Can Arsenal land Romeo Lavia or will Liverpool sign him?
Despite their relegation, Romeo Lavia was wonderful for Southampton last season and the Saints will agree to sell him this summer if they receive around £50 million.
Arsenal will be getting around £30 million for Partey’s sale so they won’t mind paying £50 million for the 19-year-old Lavia but the main problem will be battling Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are one of the favourites to land the Southampton man and the Liverpool manager is desperate to add reinforcements because he’s already lost most of his midfielders.
Lavia’s contract with the Saints expires in 2027 so naturally, the club is not ready to lower their demands and with Arsenal now about to lose Thomas Partey, there’s a big possibility of a transfer battle between the two EPL giants.
As far as Romeo Lavia is concerned, he will love to return to the top division and at both these clubs, he will more or less get a lot of game time.
Liverpool have already sold James Milner and Naby Keita and even Fabinho is about to join the Saudi Pro League in the next few days so they are floating in the same boat as Arsenal. However, the Gunners will be able to offer Lavia Champions League football, something which will be very tempting for someone who is destined to play in the Championship next season.
For Arsenal, Thomas Partey was a settled player at the club so losing him will be a big blow but if they can bring in the Saints midfielder for £50 million then it will be a great replacement. They do have a battle in their hands because Liverpool won’t give up without a proper fight but the Gunners were the second-best team in the land last season so they have no reason to shy away either.
