Barcelona consider summer swoop for Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey

FC Barcelona are reportedly preparing a dramatic move to sign Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey on a free transfer this summer, according to a report by The Sun. The La Liga giants have set their sights on the Ghanaian international, whose current deal with the Gunners is set to expire at the end of June.

At 31 years old, Partey has become one of the most experienced and physically dominant midfielders in the Premier League, despite his ongoing battle with injuries. Barcelona, under the leadership of new head coach Hansi Flick, sees him as an ideal reinforcement in the engine room as they seek to bolster their squad without breaching Financial Fair Play regulations.

Talks between Barcelona and Partey’s representatives are already underway, as per sources close to the player. The Spanish giants are hoping to land the midfielder without paying a transfer fee—a strategy that fits well into their current financial model.

While Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has publicly expressed his desire to retain Partey at the Emirates, contract renewal talks have reportedly been slow and fraught with complications. With the club focusing on younger targets and long-term planning, Partey’s future in North London appears increasingly uncertain.

Signed from Atlético Madrid in 2020 for £45 million, Partey was one of Arsenal’s marquee signings aimed at restoring the club’s midfield authority. In his best form, he has shown why the Gunners made that significant investment. Last season alone, despite limited appearances due to injuries, he made a strong impact with 35 league matches during Arsenal’s heated title challenge against Liverpool.

Hansi Flick, who is eager to stamp his identity on this Barcelona squad, reportedly views Partey as a key player who could bring strength, control, and top-level experience to the midfield. Flick is believed to be a long-time admirer of Partey from his time at Atlético, where the Ghanaian built a reputation for being a midfield enforcer with technical quality.

Although Partey has established a close relationship with Arteta and has enjoyed life in London—where his family is settled—he is said to be seeking a contract that reflects his value to the team. Approaching 32, he is looking for a final major deal that offers both stability and financial security without a significant pay cut.

The Catalan club’s interest aligns perfectly with their ongoing efforts to restructure their squad affordably. Due to the constraints imposed by La Liga’s financial regulations, Barcelona are leaning more toward low-cost, high-impact transfers—of which Partey could be a standout example.

In addition to Barcelona, a number of Saudi Arabian clubs have also shown interest in signing Partey. However, sources indicate that it is the Blaugrana who have taken the lead in discussions, offering a mix of sporting challenge and prestige that appeals strongly to the player.

“Thomas has huge respect for Arsenal and enjoys living in London,” a source close to the player told SunSport. “But he also knows what he brings to the table and wants an agreement that recognizes his contribution and status.”

Should Partey leave Arsenal this summer, it would create a vacancy in the heart of Arteta’s midfield. According to reports, the Gunners are preparing to trigger the £51 million release clause of Real Sociedad midfielder Martín Zubimendi—part of a broader squad overhaul that Arteta and the board are planning.

Zubimendi, regarded as one of Spain’s most intelligent holding midfielders, would represent a long-term successor to Partey, aligning with Arsenal’s focus on youth, technical quality, and squad evolution.

Barcelona’s pursuit of Partey is strategic and timely. With the club eager to bounce back to the top of European football, adding an experienced and combative presence like Partey to the midfield could help balance a squad that is brimming with youth but lacking in elite-level steel.

If the move goes through, it would mark a full-circle moment for Partey, who spent several years playing in La Liga before making the switch to England. Returning to Spain, and especially to a club of Barcelona’s stature, would provide the Ghanaian with an opportunity to reignite his career at the highest level.

Moreover, the presence of Flick and Barcelona’s ambitious rebuild might be the ideal environment for Partey to thrive once again, especially if he is offered a pivotal role in the midfield.

As the summer window approaches, this potential move could gain more traction, particularly if Arsenal decides to move forward with Zubimendi or another midfield target. For Partey, the coming weeks could determine not just his next club, but also how his distinguished career will be defined in its final chapter.

The coming days will be crucial as negotiations continue behind the scenes. Barcelona are known for acting quickly once they set their sights on a target—and with Partey’s contract running down, a deal could be announced as soon as the window officially opens.

Whether this move materializes or not, it’s clear that Thomas Partey remains a highly valued asset in European football, and his next step could play a major role in shaping Barcelona’s midfield for the 2025/26 season.