Thomas Partey 'hands in transfer request' amid interest from Champions League giant

Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has told Arsenal that he wants to leave the club in January amid interest from Serie A giants Juventus, it has been claimed.

The Ghana international had been tipped for a summer transfer amid links to Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli after Arsenal spent some £105million on Declan Rice.

While Partey ultimately stayed put in north London, he has struggled for consistent game time ever since, having been dealt multiple injuries since the season opener.

And according to the Italian publication Tutto Mercato, the 30-year-old has informed the Gunners of his desire to leave the club during the January transfer window.

The outlet claimed Juventus are front runners to sign Partey given their need for a defensive midfielder.

However, the player will allegedly hold out for more options before making a decision, hoping for interest from the Premier League or La Liga.

Partey's future in north London dominated transfer discourse this summer, with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta being forced to insist the player is “super important” to the team.

At the time, when asked whether he expected Partey to stay, Arteta said: “Yes. Every time I spoke to him, his will is stay to with us. There is nothing there (a potential move) at all.

“Without question, Thomas Partey is a super important player for us and for me. We want him to be in the team, that’s for sure.”

Yet in October Arteta admitted that Partey's fitness is a “big concern” amid claims the midfielder could be out until December.

The Ghanaian missed just seven games in five years at Atletico Madrid but his time at Arsenal has been blighted by injuries in the past three years.

Should Arsenal allow Partey to leave, however, they could face watching him thrive elsewhere.

Indeed, Gooners have looked at the imperious form of Granit Xhaka at Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen this term and questioned whether the Swiss international was allowed to leave the Emirates prematurely.

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