Arsenal will consider signing a midfielder in January after Thomas Partey injury blow… but will be on a tight budget after near £200m summer splurge

Arsenal are considering switching their January transfer focus to signing a midfielder after Thomas Partey suffered a fresh injury blow.

The Gunners had been expected to seek a new forward in the next window – with Brentford striker Ivan Toney the club’s priority target – but there are major concerns that Partey will miss a significant chunk of the season.

Mail Sport understands that the Ghana international has undergone a minor treatment procedure as he continues to recover from a thigh injury.

The former Atletico Madrid man has been in a leg brace in hope of accelerating his recovery but there is now uncertainty about when he may be fit to return.

Partey is set to miss the rest of the year, at least, but the lack of clarity over when he may be available again means Arsenal are ready to change tact in the transfer market.

Ivan Toney had been seen as the priority but it is unclear if Partey will be back by January

Arsenal are wary of overburdening players such as £105million summer signing Declan Rice 

The Gunners do not have big-money to spend in January after their near £200million splurge on Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber – and will operate to a tight budget to ensure they still within FFP guidelines.

David Raya, currently on loan from Brentford, is expected to join permanently next summer for £30m.

And Arsenal are ready to put their move for a striker on hold until the the end of the season and concentrate on signing a new midfielder to ease the workload on Declan Rice and Jorginho in the absence of Partey.

The Gunners could look to sell player to supplement their limited budget in January.

Their need for a midfielder will be compounded by the fact that even if Partey recovers in time for January, he will be expected to join up with Ghana for AFCON – though his availability for the tournament is under a dark…