Thomas Partey 'wanted by two Serie A clubs' as Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta plans huge summer rebuild

Two Serie A clubs are plotting a move to sign Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey this summer, according to a new report.

Partey has made 80 Premier League appearances since joining the Gunners from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2020, and has been a key part of Mikel Arteta's side for much of this season.

The Ghana international had a number of injury issues in the second half of the campaign, however, and has struggled for form in recent weeks as Arsenal's title challenge fell away.

After three games out of the starting XI, the 29-year-old returned to the starting line-up for the 1-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, but lined up at right-back for much of the contest.

The Gunners have been linked with making moves for a number of midfielders this summer, including West Ham's Declan Rice and Brighton's Moises Caicedo.

And Partey could make way for one of those players, a report claims.

Partey 'wanted by Serie A clubs'

According to the Daily Mirror, two unnamed Serie A clubs are keen on signing Partey during the upcoming transfer window, with his drop-off in form towards the end of the campaign potentially convincing Arteta to sanction an exit.

The same outlet also claims that the Spaniard is planning to rebuild his entire midfield this summer.

Team-mate Granit Xhaka, meanwhile, has reportedly been in talks with German side Bayer Leverkusen.

When asked about his future after the defeat to Forest, the Swiss midfielder told the Evening Standard: "You will know latest next week, for sure. Yes, I think [the fans] deserve that [an announcement before the final game of the season] as well and I do myself as well."

Should both players leave this summer, it could open the door for the Gunners to sign one of Rice or Caicedo - or potentially even both. They are also said to have a keen interest in signing Manchester City star Ilkay Gundogan, who is out of contract this summer and is yet to agree fresh terms at the Etihad Stadium.

Sky Sports have reported that Rice has a 'gentleman's agreement' with West Ham that will allow him to leave should the club receive a transfer fee of £120 million, or an offer involving the exchange of players that totals that value.

Football Transfers claim that Hammers boss David Moyes is interested in an exchange that would see Gunners players Reiss Nelson, Folarin Balogun and Albert Sambi Lokonga move to the London Stadium as part of any deal to sell Rice.