Arsenal
Aston Villa
Chelsea
Crystal Palace
Everton
Fulham
Leeds United
Liverpool
Manchester City
Manchester United
Newcastle United
Nottingham Forest
Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham United
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Exclusives
How Arsenal feel about keeping Thomas Partey as Barcelona continue to show interest
Thomas Partey is highly unlikely to remain at Arsenal this summer, TBR Football can exclusively reveal.
Partey has made 45 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal this season scoring four goals and providing three assists.
The 31-year-old actually scored against Brentford in a 1-1 draw on Saturday, a game in which he also picked up a slight injury issue.
Partey is a doubt to face Real Madrid, and the jeopardy surrounding his involvement goes somewhat to explaining how crucial he’s been for Mikel Arteta this season.
However, Partey’s contract expires at Arsenal this summer and the Ghanaian is now looking very likely to end his five-year stay with the club.
Barcelona want Thomas Partey as their Joshua Kimmich alternative
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that although Arsenal remain huge fans of Partey, the size of any new deal could prohibit any contract extension.
Arsenal have a lot of plans in the transfer market this summer and offering a bumper deal to Partey, who would then be considered a squad player, is highly unlikely at this stage.
READ MORE: What Andrea Berta has just told Bukayo Saka in Arsenal contract talks
As previously revealed, Partey has held talks with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in recent weeks and a move back to Spain is looking increasingly likely.
Partey also has interest from Italy in the shape of Inter Milan, Juventus and Napoli, and that can’t be discounted entirely.
And it should also be mentioned that the Saudi Pro League remains an option for the midfielder who will turn 32 before his current Arsenal contract ends.
Barcelona turned to Partey after missing out on Joshua Kimmich, however, they don’t see the Arsenal man as a downgrade.
Rather, Barcelona simply see Partey as another elite option, one who has the advantage of knowing Spanish football well.
Mikel Arteta called Thomas Partey a ‘massive player’
Before the Gunners square off with Real Madrid in their second-leg, Partey has warned Arsenal’s players what to avoid from doing at the Santiago Bernabeu, given his experience of playing in Spain.
And given that Partey could leave Arsenal in the coming months, it is now pertinent to revisit some comments that Arteta made about the midfielder earlier this season.
Arteta was speaking before facing Southampton in October at his press conference and labelled Partey as a ‘massive player’, perhaps someone he wouldn’t want to lose.
He said: “He’s a massive player for us and he’s shown that week in, week out. He’s started the season really well, really fit.
“The way he came back post-holiday was probably in the best condition that he’s been, which was really helpful as well.
“Now he needs to continue to do that. We have managed certain minutes with him in the right way and the team is doing that, and then he’s doing everything he can as well to be in the best physical condition.”
Perhaps it could be the end of an era for Partey in north London, and although Arsenal want Martin Zubimendi this summer, perhaps they will also explore other midfield options too.