Five midfielders Arsenal could sign to replace crocked Thomas Partey
ARSENAL are ready to make a move to sign a replacement for crocked Thomas Partey - who is sidelined until the new year.
The Ghanaian moved to the Emirates in 2020 for £45million but has spent nearly a year off the pitch due to countless injuries.
The 30-year-old Ghana international will likely be ruled out of action for the rest of the year after suffering a thigh problem in training earlier this month.
And his latest spell on the sidelines has accelerated plans to cash in on a player who has missed 57 games and been unavailable for 296 days.
Partey is one of Arsenal's highest-paid players at £200,000-a-week and has a contract which runs to 2025.
He was one of Arteta's first major signings but has rarely been available for consistent selection due to a long-running series of muscular injuries. Even if the player can achieve his target of a New Year's comeback, he is due to head to the Ivory Coast for the Africa Cup of Nations in January.
And that has persuaded the club to make a move on recruiting a new midfielder at the Emirates in the next transfer window.
Five midfielders could feature on the Gunners transfer target list as Mikel Arteta's side look to reinforce their midfield.
SunSport takes a look at each of them...
Douglas Luiz - Aston Villa
Luiz is a player Arsenal have admired for some time but Villa also rate him highly.
The Gunners could be set to bid for the Brazilian when the transfer window re-opens as he is their number one target, reports Fabrizio Romano.
They were keen on Luiz in 2022 but the 25-year-old signed a new contract at Villa Park.
He is a key player for Unai Emery's side, scoring five goals and providing one assist in 11 Premier League games this season.
Zubimendi caught Arsenal's eye previously with his
Read on m.allfootballapp.com
