Ten Hag urged to raid Arsenal or Barcelona for cheaper alternative to £100m Man Utd-linked star
Man Utd have been told that they should join Serie A giants Juventus in the race for Arsenal and Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey.
The 30-year-old signed for Arsenal in 2020 from Atletico Madrid after the Premier League outfit activated his £45m release clause.
The centre-midfielder has impressed for Arsenal more often than not but his form declined during the final few months of the 2022/23 campaign.
With the Gunners hoping to sign Declan Rice (and maybe Romeo Lavia) before next season, Partey is surplus to requirements. He has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia but Juventus now appear to be his most likely destination.
Man Utd meanwhile have spent around £55m to snatch Mason Mount from Chelsea and they are also keen to sign at least one new striker.
The Red Devils are still being linked with potential midfield signings, though. Reported Chelsea target Moises Caicedo is said to be admired by Erik ten Hag and the club’s hierarchy.
But ex-Man Utd player Paul Ince reckons Partey or Barcelona’s Franck Kessie would be ideal signings for his former club.
“Obviously, there’s a lot of talk about [Moises] Caicedo,” Ince told Betway. “I like Franck Kessie at Barcelona. He’s not getting enough game time.
“There’s also talk about Thomas Partey leaving Arsenal. You think about the first six months of the season, Partey was absolutely fantastic.
“Jorginho came in and, for some reason, he stopped getting games. That’s when Arsenal started losing and drawing games. I’d be looking at someone like him or Kessie.”
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Following his move to United, Mount has claimed that it “became clear” that he wasn’t in Chelsea’s plans “several months ago”.
“Several months ago I think it became clear that I wasn’t in Chelsea’s plans moving forward and once I knew that United were involved, my decision was made,” Mount said.
“It’s a massive club, huge, iconic players have played here, and I wanted to be a part of that from the beginning. Getting in early, ready for pre-season to start, was a main objective of mine as well.”
He added: “I’ve always seen myself as a midfielder, a number eight that can obviously get forward and attack, try to score goals, create goals, but also be able to do the other side as well and defend and help the team when we’re under pressure. That’s a massive focus of mine.
“I know what I can bring to this team and now it’s about going and doing it on the pitch.”
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