Over a month after exiting Arsenal, Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey is nearing a switch to Spanish La Liga side Villarreal CF, after striking a deal over the weekend, and completed his medical tests, pending official unveiling.
The 32-year-old is set to sign a two-year contract at the Estadio de la Cerámica. This comes after enduring a hectic spell of negotiations with Arsenal, with the two eventually walking separate paths, after failing to reach leveled grounds.
Meanwhile, Partey’s compatriot and former Ghana senior national team attacking midfielder Sulley Muntari, is convinced “Villarreal is the right choice” as he has played in the Spanish La Liga previously while at Atletico Madrid.
Arsenal’s One-Year Offer Forces Thomas Partey Exit After Contract Talks Collapse
“He (Partey) was arguably the best player at Arsenal last season, and it was a shock that he wasn’t given a new contract. He’s now going to a less physical league and one that he knows so well, and for me, Villarreal is the perfect lifeline to him, as he has been unfairly treated of late,” Muntari said, as he exclusively spoke to Footy-Africa.
“Villarreal is the kind of team that loves to get on the ball, dominate and play in a block as a unit. So, it’s a fitting system and especially, less demanding. The fact that he is going to continue playing at a top level is great for his career, but also, the Black Stars team. He still has a whole lot to offer at the biggest stages,” the former Inter Milan and AC Milan star added.
Last season at Arsenal, Partey played in a number of roles, including midfield and as a right-back. He made a massive 52 appearances, chipping in with five goals and two assists. In his five-year spell at Arsenal, he made 167 appearances across all competitions, scoring 10 goals and assisting five times. He played 188 times for Atletico Madrid between 2015 to 2020, previously.
