Exclusive: Thomas Partey Set for Arsenal Exit as Barcelona and Atletico Madrid Eye Summer Move

Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is set to leave the club this summer, SportsBoom sources can reveal.

The 31-year-old Ghana international has been a key player for the Gunners this season, but Spanish giants Barcelona are believed to be interested in securing his signature.

Partey’s current deal expires in June this year and his former club Atletico Madrid have also expressed a desire to bring the player back to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium.

Atletico are desperate to end Barcelona and Real Madrid’s dominance in La Liga – and Partey is understood to be a big part of their vision for success.

Partey joined the Gunners on a five-year deal in October 2020 and is enjoying his fifth successive season in the Premier League with Arsenal.

LACK OF SILVERWARE

But a lack of silverware and a desire to win a trophy in the final few years of a distinguished career, are believed to be some of the reasons why Partey wants a fresh challenge.

Capped 51 times by his country, Partey played 188 games for Athletico between 2015-21 during a six-year spell with the club.

He famously won the Europa League title with Athletico in the 2017-18 season, UEFA Super Cup in 2018 and qualified for a Li Liga winner's medal having played enough games before his big-money move to North London.

He was a Champions League runner-up with Atletico in the 2015-16 season, but only won the Community Shield with Arsenal two seasons ago.

However, a move to La Liga leaders Barca would certainly be a tempting one, even though he is bound to upset plenty of supporters at his former club as one of their major rivals.

Partey has played 157 times for the Gunners and is a player who Arteta is very fond of, but a lack of silverware – and another great chance to win the Premier League this season seemingly squandered – is leading the boss to strengthen with new signings.

Fellow midfielder Jorginho is also out of contract in June and could leave the Emirates if a new contract is not agreed.

Arsenal have been linked with a move for Real Sociedad ace Martin Zubimendi, although they would need to pay a release cause with a number of other Premier League clubs keen to sign him as Arteta starts to orchestrate his reshuffle.