Arsenal’s stance on Thomas Partey revealed as two European giants eye free transfer

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Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is attracting interest from Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, Arsenal Insider understands.

With his contract expiring in the summer, Arsenal were prepared to offer Partey a new deal on the basis that he accepts a significant pay cut.

However, it now appears more likely that Partey will leave, potentially because he’s unwilling to take a hit on his wages, but also because interest in him is developing.

Arsenal are hopeful of signing Martin Zubimendi, while they’ve also been linked with the likes of Bruno Guimaraes and Joshua Kimmich, indicating that they’re ready to move on from the Ghanaian and rebuild their ageing midfield department over the summer.

• READ MORE: Arsenal fans all make worrying admission about Martin Zubimendi after watching him vs Man United

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid eye Thomas Partey as Arsenal stay ‘unlikely’

Signing for the Gunners for £45 million from Atletico back in 2020, Partey has made over 150 appearances for the North London club.

While he has endured an injury-plagued stint in N5, he’s also demonstrated an incredibly high level when fit and firing, and it’s no surprise that there are plenty of potential suitors looking to snap him up on a free transfer.

Arsenal Insider understands that Partey is a beloved figure at Arsenal, and a new contract was a genuine possibility for the deep-lying playmaker.

However, speaking to TBR Football’s Graeme Bailey, it appears that a departure for Partey is more likely at this stage.

“Thomas Partey is a much loved character at Arsenal, but as has been discussed, a deal looks unlikely at this stage,” he said.

“I understand that talks have taken place about a move back to Spain, as is allowed, and both Barcelona and his former club Atletico Madrid are in the mix.

“Partey is probably going to feature in over 30 games; he has proven his fitness and still has a lot to offer.

“The Pro-League in Saudi is an option too, but it looks like he is going to be heading back to Europe.”

Partey made 188 appearances for Atletico between 2015 and 2020, and he could be tempted to rejoin the club that unearthed him.

On the flip side, the 31-year-old may be attracted by the bright lights of Catalonia, with a move to Barcelona at this point in his career surely too good a proposal to turn down.

It’s time for Arsenal to move on from Thomas Partey

Partey has frustrated fans with some of his performances this season, and the reality is that he’s starting to decline.

Physically, he may have been able to withstand a significant volume of minutes this season, but ultimately, he’s much easier to run past than he used to be, and he’s lost his defensive nous.

On the ball, he no longer provides the quality of progressive passes that he used to, using possession much more conservatively nowadays.

In order for the team to evolve, Mikel Arteta must move past the Ghana international, and look to integrate a long-term midfield option who can be deployed alongside Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice.

Whether this is Zubimendi or someone else remains to be seen, but it certainly shouldn’t be Partey holding the middle of the park together at the Emirates next season.