Romano suggests Arsenal signing as details of shock summer departure emerge

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano thinks Sassuolo’s Davide Frattesi would be the “perfect midfield player” for Arsenal if Thomas Partey leaves the club.

Romano revealed on Sunday that “there’s a concrete chance” that Partey will depart the Emirates Stadium this summer with the Gunners looking to bring in a couple of new midfielders.

Partey has entered the final two years of his contract at Arsenal but there are currently no talks taking place to extend that deal.

The 30-year-old has been one of the Gunners’ best midfield players over the last couple of seasons and helped Arsenal to a runners-up spot in the Premier League this term.

And Romano has run through Partey’s situation at Arsenal and the possible replacement for him if he does leave.

READ: One per club: Premier League players who need to make a move this summer

Romano wrote in his Caught Offside column: “We could see a revolution in Arsenal’s midfield this summer. As well as Granit Xhaka, who is ready to join Bayer Leverkusen and just waiting for Arsenal to sign a replacement, I understand Thomas Partey could also be on the market this summer.

“I’m told there are now conversations ongoing, and that there is a very concrete possibility for Partey to leave Arsenal, but it’s still not advanced and will only happen if a very good proposal arrives, whereas Xhaka is all but done and just waiting for the green light. Arsenal are of course busy with Declan Rice, he is their top target in midfield, but they could make one more signing in that position, and it is true that Romeo Lavia of Southampton is one of the players on their list – they like him, they consider him a top talent.

“Man City have a buy-back clause for the player but it’s not active until next summer, so Arsenal are interested, as are Chelsea, with Joe Shields now part of their recruitment team, having previously signed Lavia for Southampton. Chelsea’s focus for now, however, is for Moises Caicedo, so Arsenal have Lavia on their list in case Partey leaves the club. He shares the same agents as Bukayo Saka and they have a great relationship with Arsenal.

“With Partey, I’m aware there have already been some links with Saudi clubs, but my understanding is that they are currently focusing on other targets. Let’s see if things change and if they decide to attack the Partey situation in the next few weeks.

“I’m aware that some Arsenal fans have commented on this being a risky move by Arsenal, to let two top players, two experienced players, in Xhaka and Partey leave in the same summer, but personally I’ve always been a big fan of the Arsenal strategy and I’m sure they know what they’re doing. Sometimes it’s crucial to keep players when they’re fully motivated, but Xhaka wants a new chapter and that’s why he’s in advanced talks with Bayer Leverkusen.

“Finally, there has been no further development on the Rice deal over the weekend. Man City have asked to be informed on the situation on Friday, but still no breakthrough. This week will be crucial for sure.

“I’ll finish by adding that, in my opinion, Davide Frattesi would be the perfect midfield player for Arsenal… but he wants to stay in Italy. The 23-year-old is doing hugely impressive things with Sassuolo and I can picture him shining in this Arsenal team, even if this isn’t currently something in the works.”

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