Arsenal had ‘300 pages’ of analysis on Tottenham-linked Partey alternative

The agent of PSV Eindhoven midfielder Ibrahim Sangare has revealed that Arsenal had detailed notes on his client before signing Thomas Partey instead.

The Gunners made Partey the then-most expensive arrival of Mikel Arteta’s reign in October 2020. Despite a tough debut season which featured injuries, the Ghanaian has enjoyed good recent form.

Indeed, he only came into the Arsenal fold after injury this season in the fourth game of the campaign.

However, Arsenal have not lost any of the four games since then, keeping three clean sheets. Partey also stepped up his recovery in the Carabao Cup, denying two rising starlets a first-team debut in the process.

Nevertheless, agent Jean Musampa has now revealed that Arsenal‘s transfer plans could have gone down a different path.

The Gunners had serious interest in his Ivory Coast international client Sangare when he was at Toulouse. Previous reports have revealed that Tottenham also scouted him.

“At Toulouse, he was on the radar of a lot of clubs,” Musampa told De Telegraaf.

“They come naturally. I got an invitation from Arsenal. There they had 300 pages of analysis and data of his game. Thomas Partey, however, was the first choice.

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“I thought he would choose the Premier League. But he also liked PSV. He asked, ‘Dad, what should I choose?’

“He wanted to play football and not go to the Premier League at all costs. PSV always plays in the top and plays in the Champions League or Europa League. He can always make the step.”

Sangare moved to the Netherlands at the end of September, before Arsenal landed Partey just before the transfer window closed.

Sangare missed only two Eredivisie games in his debut season, while he chipped in with one goal and two assists.

This term, meanwhile, he has scored two goals in 13 appearances.

Arsenal duo considering futures

Elsewhere, Arsenal duo Mohamed Elneny and Ainsley Maitland-Niles are considering their futures, according to a report.

Both players have never proved crucial for the Gunners, even if the former has enjoyed a revival following Arteta’s arrival.

Maitland-Niles made his frustrations over his lack of game time clear during the summer transfer window.

Now, both players are ready to ask fresh questions about their roles at the club.

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