Arsenal are reportedly prepared to entertain offers for injury-plagued midfielder Thomas Partey in the January transfer window.
The Ghana international appeared to consign his fitness woes to the past last season, playing a vital role in Arsenal's title challenge in an effective duo with Granit Xhaka.
Despite Xhaka's move to Bayer Leverkusen, as well as the signings of Declan Rice and Kai Havertz, Partey remained at the Emirates over the summer, snubbing apparent interest from Juventus and Saudi Arabia.
However, injuries have once again reared their ugly heads for the 30-year-old, who has not started a single game in his favoured midfield position during the 2023-24 season.
Mikel Arteta experimented with Partey at right-back during the early stages of the new term before he sustained a groin injury, which sidelined him throughout the whole of September.
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Following his recovery, Partey came off the bench in October's 1-0 win over Manchester City, but the former Atletico Madrid man quickly re-entered the treatment room with another muscular issue from a training session.
Partey is not expected to recover from his latest affliction for a few weeks, and according to The Sun, the African's perennial injury problems have convinced the Gunners to cash in over the winter.
The report claims that Arsenal were initially planning to wait until the summer of 2024 before cutting their losses on Partey, who has under two years left to run on his contract in North London.
However, the Gunners - despite their well-documented midfield shortages - are now prepared to sever ties with Partey midway through the campaign, when the Ghana international is due to represent his country at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Partey's frequent absences is said to have been one of Arteta's reasons for pursuing a move for Rice, who has often been deployed in a number eight role this season with Jorginho mopping up in a deeper position.
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Juventus are expected to reignite their interest in Partey, who is also said to have informed the Gunners of his desire to leave after growing frustrated with his bit-part role this season.
The Italian giants will be working without Nicolo Fagioli for another six months as he serves his lengthy betting suspension, while Paul Pogba's contract is likely to be terminated pending any sanctions for his failed doping test.
Juve would supposedly only want a loan deal in January, though, while Arsenal are hopeful of starting talks with Saudi Pro League clubs at around the £30m mark, which would still represent a loss on the €50m (£43.6m) they paid Atletico for his services in 2020.
Partey has come up with five goals and four assists in 104 matches for Arsenal since joining the club three years ago, playing the full 90 in the Gunners' Community Shield win over Manchester City in August.
However, the Ghana international will once again be absent when Arteta's men return to Premier League action at home to Burnley on Saturday afternoon.
Ben Knapton
