Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has reportedly set his sights on a move to Juventus if he leaves North London this summer.
Having largely consigned his previous injury problems to the past, the Ghana international enjoyed his finest season in red and white during the 2022-23 campaign.
Forming a symbiotic relationship with midfield partner Granit Xhaka, Partey impressed with his dogged displays at the base of the midfield as Arsenal secured a return to the Champions League.
The 30-year-old scored three goals in 33 Premier League games during the 2022-23 season, although his form noticeably dipped during the Gunners' end-of-season plight.
Partey is still contracted to Arsenal for another two years, but Mikel Arteta is revitalising his midfield with young talent, having already brought in Kai Havertz from Chelsea for £65m.
By the end of next week, Arsenal are expected to have confirmed the British-record signing of Declan Rice from West Ham United, pouring further doubt onto Partey's long-term future.
The Gunners are not believed to be actively working to sell the former Atletico Madrid man, but should an interested party submit a suitable offer, they will consider parting ways.
Juventus and Saudi Arabia have been touted as Partey's two most likely destinations, and according to CBS Sports, the midfielder would prefer a move to the former.
A trio of Saudi Pro League clubs in Al-Ahli, Al-Khaleej and Al-Nassr were said to have registered an interest, and the latter were apparently readying an offer of €30m (£25.6m).
However, all three clubs have now been informed by Partey's camp that he is not considering a transfer to the Middle East at this stage of his career, and the onus is now on Juventus to come up with an appropriate financial package.
Arsenal are rumoured to be holding out for at least £30m to sanction Partey's exit this summer, and it is unclear if the Bianconeri can satisfy the Gunners' demands amid their off-field turmoil.
Arsenal forked out €50m (£42.7m) to secure Partey's signature in the summer of 2020, and the Ghana international has registered five goals and four assists in 99 matches for the Gunners since.
Partey was bedevilled by injuries during his first two years at the club, though, and he has missed a further 37 games through a combination of various physical glitches.
As well as Rice and Havertz, Arsenal are also believed to have come to a full agreement over a deal for Ajax defender Jurrien Timber, who has supposedly already completed his medical.
Arteta is hoping to integrate all three players into his squad before their pre-season tour of the USA, where they will face Manchester United and Barcelona on July 22 and 26 respectively, prior to which they will meet German second-tier side Nurnberg next Thursday. body check tags ::
