June 26, 2025 — London, England
In a major development ahead of the summer transfer window, Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is set to leave the club as a free agent at the end of this month. The 32-year-old Ghanaian international’s contract is expiring on June 30, and the club has decided not to offer an extension, bringing an end to his five-year spell at the Emirates Stadium.
Sources close to the club confirm that Partey has already cleared out his locker at Arsenal’s London Colney training ground, and will officially become a free agent next week. Talks between the player’s representatives and multiple clubs are already underway, with Everton emerging as the front-runners in the race to secure his signature on a free transfer.
Everton, under manager Sean Dyche, are believed to be pushing hard to finalize a deal. Negotiations are ongoing, with the Toffees offering Partey a two-year contract with an option for a third, as they look to add experience and depth to their midfield. The club sees Partey as a key component in their efforts to stabilize after narrowly avoiding relegation last season.
A source close to the Everton camp said:
“Dyche is a big admirer of Partey’s physical presence and ability to dictate play. He sees him as a leader who can immediately strengthen the core of the team.”
Partey joined Arsenal from Atlético Madrid in October 2020 for a reported £45 million fee, becoming one of the most expensive signings in the club’s history. While his tenure was marked by glimpses of brilliance, injuries and inconsistency limited his overall impact. This past season, Partey made just 17 appearances in all competitions, as younger midfielders like Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard took center stage.
Arsenal released a brief statement thanking Partey for his service:
“We extend our sincere gratitude to Thomas Partey for his contributions to the club over the past five seasons. He leaves with our best wishes for the future.”
Other clubs reportedly monitoring the situation include Galatasaray and clubs in Saudi Arabia, though Partey is said to prefer staying in the Premier League for now. A move to Everton would allow him to continue competing at a high level while taking on a more central role in a rebuilding project.
Partey himself has remained tight-lipped, but in a recent interview with Ghanaian radio, he hinted at a desire for “a new challenge in a place where I can lead again.”
With formal talks expected to intensify in the coming days, Everton fans will be watching closely, hopeful that Partey could soon be anchoring their midfield. If the deal goes through, it could mark a smart piece of business for a club eager to turn the corner.