Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is among seven Arsenal players who have not travelled with the squad for their pre-season tour of the United States.
The Ghanaian has agreed personal terms ahead of a move to the Saudi Pro League, according to reports.
Mikel Arteta has already lost one key midfielder this summer, with Granit Xhaka joining Bayer Leverkusen in a £21.5million deal.
And he looks set to lose another, with Partey threatening to become the latest big-name player to plump for a healthy pay day in the Middle East.
Partey took part in Arsenal’s pre-season friendly against Nurnberg last Thursday but was missing from the squad as they boarded their flight to the United States on Sunday.
Read Also: Monday’s Transfer Gossip: Alvarez, Goretzka, Alba, De Gea, Amrabat, Scott
Arsenal have not explained Partey’s absence but have said:
‘We expect Emile Smith Rowe and Thomas Partey to join us next week.’
Smith Rowe has been granted an extended break after playing for England in their successful Under-21 European Championship campaign this summer.
Nicolas Pepe, Cedric Soares and Albert Sambi Lokonga, who all left Arsenal on loan last season, have also stayed behind and will continue to train away from the first-team squad.
Nuno Tavares, who spent last season on loan at Marseille, has also stayed behind and is not considered part of Mikel Arteta’s plans.
Reiss Nelson, who signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal earlier this month, is also among those who have not travelled to the United States due to injury.
Arsenal’s record £105 million signing Declan Rice was among the 27 players who boarded the flight from London Stansted on Sunday afternoon.
Jurrien Timber, who completed this £40m move from Ajax on Friday, is also part of the travelling squad.
If Partey moves onto pastures new, CBS Sports claim that Arsenal will formally ‘enter the race’ for Lavia, who is valued by Southampton at £50m.
Thomas Partey among Seven Missing Arsenal Players Excluding From United States Pre-season Tour
