The future of two Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal players appear to be somewhat intertwined heading into the January transfer window, with Juventus on the lookout for a new central midfielder and setting their sights on the Premier League.
A couple of weeks ago, if we’d asked you who was more likely to leave North London behind in the winter, you’d have been forgiven for putting your house on Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg rather than Thomas Partey.
But things have changed.
Hojbjerg, praised by Ange Postecoglou after stepping in for the suspended Yves Bissouma at Fulham, appears to have breathed some life into a Tottenham career which was approaching death rattle status not so long ago. Hojbjerg was typically resilient as nine-man Spurs held on and even threatened an equaliser against Chelsea on Monday too, with the Dane potentially having a big role to play over a frantic festive period.
Juventus eyeing Arsenal and Tottenham men
Partey, in contrast, appears to have one foot out of the door down the road at Arsenal. According to Tuttomercatoweb, Partey has informed Arsenal that he wants to leave in the New Year, Juventus looking into deals for both he and Hojbjerg.
Of course, there is only room in Max Allegri’s dressing room for one ageing and expensive deep-lying midfielder.
Partey appears to have reservations about moving to Italy. TMW report that the £45 million signing from Atletico Madrid would rather return to Spain or stay in England, albeit Arsenal will likely have reservations about selling to a Premier League rival.
Partey wants out at the Emirates
Either way, this is shaping up to be an intriguing subplot ahead of the mid-season transfer window.
Should Tottenham opt to keep Hojbjerg, that could see Juventus step up their pursuit of Partey. Should the latter rebuff Juve’s advances, the Italian giants would likely go all-out for the former, or vice versa.
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