Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is leaving after three years at the club, as the Ghanaian international has reportedly agreed to a move to the Saudi Pro League.
Like many great footballers, Partey is about to leave for the Middle East and has already agreed on personal terms with him. Granit Xhaka will go to Germany but Mikel Arteta has signed Declan Rice as an immediate replacement and once Thomas Partey leaves the Gunners boss he will look to bring in Saints midfielder Romeo Lavia
Journalist Ben Jacobs says Southampton’s Romeo Lavia will be Arsenal’s number one target once Partey moves to Saudi Arabia.
The north London outfit had paid Atletico Madrid £45m for the midfielder and last season, notably, Thomas Partey signed a formidable partnership with Granit Xhaka. However, Mikel Arteta is very clear that he wants a makeover in midfield and a combination of Rice and Lavia could be the perfect upgrade for next season.
Can Arsenal sign Romeo Lavia or will Liverpool sign him?
Despite being relegated, Romeo Lavia was terrific for Southampton last season and Saints will agree to sell him this summer if they are paid around £50million.
Arsenal will receive around £30m for the sale of Partey, so they won’t mind paying £50m for 19-year-old Lavia, but the main issue will be the Liverpool clash.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are one of the favorites to sign the player from Southampton and the Liverpool boss is desperate for reinforcements having already lost most of his midfielders.
Lavia’s contract with the Saints expires in 2027, so understandably the club are unwilling to lower their claims and with Arsenal now set to lose Thomas Partey there is a strong possibility of a transfer battle between the two. two EPL giants. As for Romeo Lavia, he will be very happy to return to the top flight and will play more or less a lot for both teams.
Liverpool have already sold James Milner and Naby Keita and Fabinho will also join the Saudi Pro League in the coming days, so they are in the same boat as Arsenal. However, the Gunners will be able to offer Lavia Champions League football, which will be very enticing for someone destined to play in the league next season.
Before Arsenal, Thomas Partey was a regular at the club so losing him will be a huge blow, but if they can sign the Saints midfielder for £50m then he will make a great replacement.
They have a fight on their hands, as Liverpool won’t give up without a proper fight, but the Gunners were the second best team in the country last season, so they have no reason to back down.
