'Has been interest': Charles Watts predicts whether Thomas Partey will leave Arsenal this summer now

Arsenal are looking at bringing in Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad and that has put the future of Thomas Partey under the spotlight.

Partey played at the weekend as Arsenal beat Wolves.

However, with the Gunners apparently closing in on a deal for Merino, the Ghanaian could now find himself pushed down the pecking order a touch.

As we know, Partey seems to come up in most windows as a potential exit but so far, he’s stayed put at The Emirates.

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Reports all summer have suggested that Partey could leave if Arsenal signed a new midfielder.

And speaking about the future of Partey, Arsenal journalist Charles Watts has given an update.

Charles Watts shares Thomas Partey update ahead of Mikel Merino signing

Speaking in his column for CaughtOffside, Watts has said that as it stands, he doesn’t actually expect Partey to leave.

“I don’t really see Partey moving on now,” Watts commented.

“Arsenal have been open to him leaving for each of the past two summers, but they have not received any offers that have been deemed suitable.

“There has been interest from Saudi Arabia, but it’s never materialised into anything concrete.”

Partey, then, could get another year with the Gunners and simply battle it out for position with the rest of the midfielders.

Indeed, it has even been suggested that Partey is set to be released by Arsenal at the end of the season if he does remain this summer.

Partey can still play his part

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All big clubs need big squad capable of covering all bases throughout a season and unless the money is massive, it makes little sense for Arsenal to sell Thomas Partey.

The £45m signing has done well enough since signing from Atletico Madrid and over the course of the season will be able to contribute.

The fact Mikel Arteta started him this weekend suggests he’s very much a trusted player in the squad.

Partey, then, should stick it out and try to finally win the Premier League title with the Gunners.