Partey's Arsenal future in doubt: Liverpool legend reveals unexpected victim of contract stalemate

Liverpool icon Steve Nicol has commented on Thomas Partey 's contract negotiations with Arsenal.

News emerged on Thursday that negotiations have reached a stalemate as his current deal approaches its expiry at the end of June. 

The midfielder has reportedly been offered a new contract on slightly reduced terms; however, Partey and his representatives are reportedly seeking similar remuneration to his current agreement. 

The Ghana star’s current deal was signed when he joined from Atletico Madrid for £45 million in 2020. 

Despite speculation linking him with Barcelona and concrete offers from Turkey, Partey is understood to prefer staying at Arsenal despite the impending arrival of Martín Zubimendi from Real Sociedad. 

Speaking on ESPN, the former Liverpool full-back said a potential Partey departure hurts Declan Rice, who has benefitted by having the license to bomb forward from midfield. 

“What would it mean for Declan Rice? It seems to me that Rice is probably going to be the one who suffers most out of this,” said Nicol. “He’s going to have to drop deep.

“Rice last year pushed himself from being a defensive midfielder who won the ball, gor it back and gave it to others, to a guy who was actually carrying the ball forward, getting in the opposition penalty box and creating problems. 

“He’s going to be affected more than anybody else.” 

Arsenal, who face Manchester United on the opening weekend of the 2025-26 Premier League season, hope to finalise more extensions and incomings before the start of pre-season in July.