ARSENAL are in talks with Thomas Partey over a new two-year contract, according to reports.
Manager Mikel Arteta is keen for the 31-year-old star, whose contract expires in the summer, to stay at the Emirates.
Partey was expected to leave Arsenal for free in just over two months time.
But top-class performances in recent months has left Arteta prepared to make a U-turn over letting the midfielder go.
The Ghana international is happy at Arsenal and his family are enjoying living in London, according to The Athletic.
He would be open to an improved two-year agreement or a one-year deal plus an option to extend by a further 12 months.
Partey has played in several positions this season for Arteta’s injury-ridden side.
As well as his usual defensive midfield role, Partey has started in right-back amid Arsenal’s defensive injuries to Ben White this season and now Gabriel.
He has become an integral member of Arteta’s strongest team, making 45 appearances this term.
Partey made a case for winning Man of the Match in Arsenal’s Champions League quarter-final first leg 3-0 win over Real Madrid earlier this month.
And he backed it up four days later with the opener against Brentford in the Premier League.
Join SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plus
in-depth coverage and exclusives from The Emirates
Partey’s importance was demonstrated by the frustration shown at him picking up a booking that rules him out of the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Paris St-Germain.
Arteta gave a cryptic answer when asked about Partey’s contractual situation last week.
Asked if there had been any progress, Arteta said: “Yes, there is progress with all the players.
“I’ll leave that to [sporting director] Andrea [Berta] and the club to decide and to talk about.”
Having joined Arsenal from Atletico Madrid in 2020, Partey has played an important role in the club’s progress under Arteta.
In fact, it was former Atletico director Berta that sanctioned Partey’s move to North London for £45m five years ago.
THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..
The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.
