Thomas Partey nears Villarreal deal as England court grants provisional bail on rape, sexual assault charges

Former Arsenal -Midfielder Thomas Partey is set to complete a switch Villarreal Within a few days, a source close to Negotiations CBS Sports told.

Pedey appeared on Tuesday at Westminster Magistrates Court for his first hearing after he was accused of five counts of rape and one of sexual violence. The charges relate to three women and incidents who reportedly took place in 2021 and 2022. Partey denies all charges. During the hearing, Pedey received a provisional bail, which means that he must inform the court whether he will change your address or, among other things, have to undertake international travel.

The 32-year-old was charged on July 4, days after he had left Arsenal at the expiry of his contract. He is now close to a return to football and is expected to be formally unveiled in the coming days as a Villarreal player. Partey has completed his medical and agreed to conditions on a two -year deal, according to sources.

Pareny had also attracted interest from clubs in Saudi Aarabia, but a move to Villarreal offers him the chance to play in the Champions League next summer. The Ghana International spent eight years in Spain prior to his move to Arsenal, in the first instance member LEGANES Before becoming a member of Atletico Madrid With short spells on loan Mallorca And Almeria.

Pedey was first arrested in July 2022 with the charges brought against him last month, the highlight of an investigation of more than three years by the metropolitan police. The midfielder continued to play for Arsenal until the end of his contract and conversations were held about an extension of the conditions he initially signed when the club joined the club in the summer of 2020. Partey left after 167 games for the North London Club.