Arsenal are ready to make a £102m bid to replace Thomas Partey

Arsenal are ready to make an offer for a player with a huge release clause as they look to shake up their squad this summer.

Arsenal transfer rumours

Although Euro 2024 is just around the corner, those in power at Arsenal will be focusing their attention on the upcoming transfer window as they seek a first Premier League title in more than 20 years.

Overall, the Gunners' squad has improved over the past year, with young stars such as William Saliba and Declan Rice taking the next step in their journey to become world-class talent. However, as is the case with many clubs, there are a few players who did not have a good season with Arsenal.

One such player is Thomas Partey. The 30-year-old has been part of Arsenal's midfield and forms a good relationship with Granit Xhaka. However, the Ghanaian's inability to stay fit has severely hampered his playing time, with the midfielder making just 14 appearances in 2023/24, completing 90 minutes just five times – arguably making him an unreliable long-term option for Mikel Arteta.

With Partey's time as a regular at Arsenal potentially coming to an end, the North London powerhouse have begun looking at other options.

They are reportedly interested in signing Everton's Amadou Onana and have already made contact to “be informed of the player's status”. Elsewhere, the Gunners retain an interest in Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes, while they are still eyeing Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi, who they may “try again” to sign.

Arsenal are ready to make a £102m bid for the midfielder

Now, a new name is gaining interest in the Emirates. The player in question is Benfica's 19-year-old Joao Neves.

As of Portuguese exit A Bola, Neves has been added to Arsenal's transfer shortlist recently and they are ready to make a bid to try and bring the midfielder to England. However, Arteta is said to be willing to offer £51m for Neves' services. While this is a huge sum for a youngster who currently earns more than €18k (£16k) a week, he is said to have a £102m release clause in his contract, which runs until 2028.

Despite being just 19, Neves has made 75 senior appearances for Benfica, including 55 throughout the 2023/24 season. His good displays have earned him a place in the Portuguese national team and he has been praised by his compatriot, Bruno Fernandes.

“He's a great player and a great kid. He's going to have a bright future wherever he goes,” said Fernandes.

Champions League football means Arsenal are likely to have a decent amount of money to spend this summer, and selling Partey will lessen the blow of any major loss for Joao Neves, let alone the other targets he has.

However, their pursuit of the youngster could be further complicated by his current club, who are willing to raise his release clause to around £127m, which would more than double the Gunners' current reported fee.