Barcelona raid Arsenal for ANOTHER free transfer

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 11 Sept 2024 09:06 BST
• 3 min read

Barcelona are raiding the free transfer market again ahead of next summer, and their latest target is Arsenal star Thomas Partey.

The Ghana international is into the final year of his current deal in north London, and FootballTransfers understands he will not be offered an extension.

As a result, Partey is expected to leave Arsenal in 2025 and we have been informed that Mikel Arteta’s side could even look to sell him during the January transfer window.

EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal could sell Partey in January after Merino signing

Barcelona are hoping to sign Partey next summer, according to El Mundo Deportivo and other sources.

Barcelona do not have the cash to spend big transfer fees anymore and will again rely on the free transfer market for a bulk of their business in 2025.

In recent years they have signed many high-profile players on free transfers, such as Ilkay Gundogan, Franck Kessie and Sergio Aguero.

Partey is their latest target, although they face competition from many other clubs such as Atletico Madrid, Juventus and teams from Saudi Arabia.

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Partey at Arsenal

Partey joined Arsenal in 2020 from Atletico Madrid after the Gunners activated the €50 million release clause in his contract.

He soon became a key and powerful player for Arsenal as they reestablished themselves as one of the best teams in England and Europe.

Partey has made over 100 appearances for Arsenal, scoring six goals. He has won one trophy, the Community Shield in 2023.

In recent years, Partey has been slowed down by regular injury layoffs. This has resulted in him occasionally not being a regular first-team starter.