Arsenal have less than a week to complete a deal for Thomas Partey. The Gunners have been linked with a move for the Atletico Madrid man for months now (Telegraph), but a deal does not look close.
If Mikel Arteta really wants a new central midfielder, he will have to go all out for Partey. However, that looks unlikely, especially as Arsenal’s attention is reportedly on a deal for Houssem Aouar (RMC Sport).
That doesn’t mean that Arsenal are not looking for a deep-lying midfielder. Sky Sports revealed last week that Chelsea’s Jorginho is Arteta’s alternative if he cannot afford a deal for Partey before the window closes.
The Italian has had his critics ever since he swapped Serie A for the Premier League, but he is still a quality player. Arteta and his former boss Pep Guardiola were keen on signing him for Manchester City, but that deal broke down.
Arteta, now the boss himself, could finally sign him. But, if Jorginho’s agent’s words are anything to go by, a deal is unlikely before the window closes next week.
Jorginho is happy at Chelsea
Joao Santos told 90min: “Jorginho still has a three-year contract with Chelsea, this plus two. I feel a lot of talk about Arsenal and PSG in the last few days, but the reality is that up to now, no official offer has arrived for the player.
“The transfer market closes on 5 October, but the more time passes the more difficult it becomes to make such an important operation. So at the moment, I can say that it is just rumours. He is happy at Chelsea”
Signing an important player from a direct London rival is never easy, especially when he has three years left on his deal. Arsenal might just have to do with one new midfielder in this window and, if reports are to be believed, that will be Aouar.
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