Arsenal midfielder wants Barcelona transfer in the summer, club weighing up move | OneFootball

FC Barcelona continue to keep an eye on the free-agent pool for potential reinforcements for the summer transfer window.

Jonathan Tah of Bayer Leverkusen has been heavily linked with a move to the Catalan club in the summer while names such as Jonathan David also continue to be linked.

Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is another player who has been mentioned as a possible transfer target, with his contract expiring at the end of the season.

Partey prefers Arsenal transfer

Now, according to Mundo Deportivo, unless there is a change of direction between now and the end of the season, Partey is on his way out of Arsenal, with Barcelona among his preferred destinations.

The Catalan club are fully aware of his contractual situation and had already identified him as a potential market opportunity, especially given their ongoing financial constraints.

Thomas Partey will be a free agent this summer. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

As such, Barça are keeping a close eye on Partey, who is expected to start tonight in Arsenal’s Champions League clash against Real Madrid at the Emirates Stadium, in what will be a high-profile test for the former Atletico Madrid player.

Do Barcelona need Partey?

Partey usually operates in a deep midfield role in Mikel Arteta’s setup, either shielding the defence behind Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard, or partnering Rice in a double pivot.

Over recent seasons, he has improved his passing game while maintaining his reputation as a tenacious ball-winner in high-press situations. His versatility is another asset. This season, Partey has effectively filled in at right-back.

However, at Barcelona, his natural position is currently well covered. Young talents Marc Casado and Marc Bernal are already in the squad, alongside Frenkie de Jong, who has made clear his intention to remain at the club.

De Jong’s contract runs until 2026, and a summer departure is not currently on the table. As such, a move for Partey might not be high on the agenda at the moment.

A shift in Barcelona’s interest in Partey may only occur if De Jong were to leave, or if the club decided to pursue a backup right-back – a role Partey has demonstrated he can fill – to support Jules Kounde.