Thomas Partey is still closing in on a deal to join Villarreal after appearing in court for an initial hearin g having been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. Partey was charged by the Metropolitan Police just four days after his contract with Arsenal expired on July 1.

Thomas Partey, the former Arsenal midfielder, arrived at court on Tuesday accused of raping two women and sexually assaulting a third.

Former Arsenal footballer Thomas Partey was seen arriving at Westminster Magistrates' Court this morning (5 August), before being granted conditional bail after appearing in court on rape and sexual assault charges.