The Liverpool great has been left shocked by the Gunners readiness to let go their Ghanaian midfield enforcer, with the 30-year-old considered to be a key cog in the set-up of the Emirates Stadium outfit
Liverpool Legend John Barnes has expressed his dismay by the decision of Arsenal FC to sell Thomas Partey this summer.
The former Atlético Madrid midfielder is on the verge of leaving the London side after being deemed as a surplus to requirements ahead of the upcoming football season.
However, the decision to offload the Ghanaian international did not go down well with the former England international attacker as he believes the 30-year-old is currently the best defensive midfielder in the set-up of Spanish manager Mikel Arteta.
Barnes is convinced that the decision to let go the former UD Almeria loanee could be down to personal issues with those in charge of the dugout at the Emirates Stadium as in the case of Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo and his manager Pep Guardiola.
The 59-year-old Liverpool great told Futfanatico: "Arsenal potentially selling Thomas Partey would surprise me because I think he's their best defensive midfield player. Is it a personality thing with Partey?
"Partey has done really well for Arsenal but it could be similar to [Joao] Cancelo with Manchester City and Pep [Guardiola]. We don't know the ins and outs of it but I am surprised because he's a strong defensive midfielder.
"Declan Rice could be coming in so they may decide Rice is the best option going forward."
It's understood that clubs from Saudi Arabia Pro League side and Italian heavyweights Juventus are interested in signing Partey but are yet to table formal bids for his transfer move this summer.
His contract with Arsenal will run out on June 30, 2025 and admirers must fork out 35 million euros to secure his signature per his transfermarkt valuation.
The Odumase Krobo-born midfield enforcer has so far been capped 43 times for Ghana at the senior national team level, the Black Stars with 13 goals to his name.
