Former Ghana Football Association Communications Director, Ibrahim Sannie Daara, has urged Black Stars vice-captain Thomas Partey to seriously consider a move to Saudi Arabia, highlighting the financial and long-term benefits the deal could bring.
Partey is currently a free agent following the expiration of his contract with Arsenal on June 30, 2025. The 32-year-old midfielder joined the Gunners from Atletico Madrid in 2020 and made 167 appearances over five seasons, scoring nine goals and providing seven assists. Despite enduring injury setbacks, he remained a key figure in Mikel Arteta’s midfield setup.
With his contract now expired, Partey’s future is the subject of much speculation. While he has attracted interest from European giants such as FC Barcelona, Galatasaray, Fenerbahce, and a possible return to Atletico Madrid, strong interest from Saudi Arabian clubs is also intensifying.
Speaking on TV3’s Sports Station on Monday, Sannie Daara confirmed that multiple Saudi clubs have made formal approaches for Partey and that another club from the Gulf region recently joined the race.
"Partey will make a decision after July 5. Partey's talks with Arsenal have ended. I'll advice him to go to Saudi Arabia" – @SannieDaara #3Sports #SportsStation pic.twitter.com/vN6qdoQXe2
— #3Sports (@3SportsGh) July 1, 2025
“The interest from Saudi Arabia is real,” Sannie noted. “One more club has even joined the list of those originally interested in him.”
Despite the appeal of staying in Europe, Sannie believes a move to the Gulf would be the smartest decision at this stage of Partey’s career.
“My advice to Thomas, and I’ve told him this personally, is that at his age, he should think about what he will live on for the rest of his life,” he explained. “The money from Saudi Arabia is tempting. I think he should go for the Saudi money, it will help him.”
As a senior CAF media officer, Sannie emphasized that the financial package on offer could be life-changing for the Ghanaian midfielder. Over the years, Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in football, luring top talents around the globe in a bid to build a competitive and globally respected league.
With Partey yet to make a decision, football fans around the world now await to see whether he will remain in Europe or take the lucrative path to the Middle East.
Credit: 3Sports
