Why Andrea Berta’s arrival could spell good news for Thomas Partey at Arsenal

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As things stand, Thomas Partey’s contract at Arsenal is set to expire in the summer alongside fellow midfielder Jorginho.

Jorginho looks almost certain to leave Arsenal, however, it’s a different case with Partey and the midfielder’s contract situation still appears to be unresolved.

Partey has played 39 games under Mikel Arteta this season and his injury record has significantly improved in comparison to his last two or three campaigns at Arsenal.

Amid a series of fitness issues for the Gunners this season, Partey has been readily available, fulfilling roles at right-back and in his preferred defensive midfield role.

Of course, Arsenal want to sign Martin Zubimendi in the summer which suggests that Arteta is envisioning a major midfield revamp.

But with Arsenal pushing to sign Andrea Berta as their new sporting director, perhaps Partey might still have a future at the club.

Andrea Berta knows Thomas Partey from their time together at Atletico Madrid

Arsenal signed Partey from Berta’s old club Atletico Madrid in 2020, a deal that the sporting director negotiated with the Gunners.

Although, given that Arsenal paid Partey’s release clause, Berta didn’t have much say in the Ghana international leaving.

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In fact, ESPN reported at the time that Atletico were angry with Partey for leaving in the eleventh hour on deadline day, a player they thought owed much more to the club.

That being said, Atletico have reportedly still been interested in bringing Partey back to the Wanda Metropolitano over the years whilst Berta has still been in charge.

Therefore, it’s interesting to consider whether Berta’s potential arrival to replace Edu at Arsenal could make it more likely that Partey stays at the club beyond the summer.

The duo will be very familiar and the Italian’s presence might therefore make contract negotiations with the 31-year-old a little easier.

Andrea Berta would also need to sign a striker for Mikel Arteta

It’s understood that Arsenal would want Partey to accept a lower salary were he to continue his stay at the club – something Berta might be well-positioned to help with.

Of course, if Berta does agree to become a new important figure in north London, there will also be several other tasks that fall immediately on the new sporting director’s desk.

Arteta needs a new striker in the summer, and Arsenal have waited patiently to buy a superstar.

Arsenal want Alexander Isak first and foremost, and fortunately Berta does have a history of negotiating expensive deals for world-class strikers.

Berta has signed several famous strikers for Atletico in the past, and although nothing is agreed yet, his appointment could be a very smart move by Arsenal.