Thomas Partey has chosen his ‘preferred’ next club as Arsenal exit edges closer

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Thomas Partey has one club at the top of his wishlist ahead of the summer transfer window.

Partey is expected to leave Arsenal in the summer once his contract expires.

Incoming sporting director Andrea Berta will be tasked with the job of replacing the Ghanaian, with his successor already identified.

Martin Zubimendi is in line to join Arsenal as Mikel Arteta’s new number six, leaving Partey free to leave to decide the next step of his career as a free agent.

• READ MORE: Andrea Berta already knows the five players he needs to get rid of at Arsenal this summer

Thomas Partey makes Barcelona his priority club

Berta’s arrival isn’t expected to impact Partey’s future, whose exit from the Emirates is set to play out.

The former Atletico Madrid man is generating attention as he continues to impress over the 2024/25 campaign, with a move to Spain reported to be the player’s preference.

A fresh report from Mundo Deportivo has revealed that the midfielder is favouring a move to Barcelona, who were linked to Partey in January. 

The Spanish publication states that Barcelona are considered one of Partey’s ‘preferred destinations’, with the Catalan club ‘aware’ of the 31-year-old’s situation at Arsenal.

The report regards Partey as an ‘interesting’ market opportunity for Barcelona due to the club’s dire financial limitations, making his pending status as a free agent all the more enticing.

One in one out for Arsenal and La Liga 

Arteta is set for a complete rebuild in midfield, as Jorginho is set to join Flamengo once his contract expires. 

The two veteran midfielders will leave the Emirates at the end of the season, with a move to Spain understood to be Partey’s wish. 

Arsenal could give a player to La Liga in return for one of the Spanish top flight’s biggest gems, acquiring Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.

Replacing the 31-year-old with 26-year-old Zubimendi, who is nearing his prime years, would be a hit for the Gunners, in what could be a decisive switch of personnel ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.