Barcelona have work to do to convince Thomas Partey to join this summer despite beginning talks with representatives of the Arsenal midfielder.
Partey, 31, has entered the final month of his deal at the Emirates Stadium and Arsenal have so far failed to tie him down to a new contract.
Mikel Arteta recently confirmed he wanted Partey to extend his stay at the club and claimed the Ghana international has enjoyed his best season for the Gunners.
Partey only missed three of Arsenal’s Premier League games and played a key role in the club’s run to the Champions League semi-finals.
Arsenal are set to sign Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad but Arteta is still keen to keep hold of Partey, especially following Jorginho’s departure from north London.
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But with talks over a new deal stalling Partey is eyeing a summer move and his representatives are in talks with Barcelona, according to The Sun.
It is claimed Barca boss Hansi Flick is a ‘big admirer’ of Partey and has sanctioned Barcelona’s move.
Mikel Arteta on Thomas Partey’s future at Arsenal
Asked if he wanted Thomas Partey to remain at Arsenal, Mikel Arteta said: ‘Yes. I think consistency-wise it’s been his best season. The way he’s played, performed, his availability, has been exceptional and he’s a really important player for us.’
However, the La Liga giants have a big job on their hands to convince Partey to leave north London, where he would ideally like to stay.
Partey is settled at Arsenal and enjoys playing under Mikel Arteta despite the team going five successive seasons without a major trophy.
‘Thomas respects Arsenal massively and loves living in London,’ a source told The Sun. ‘But he also knows his worth and wants a deal that reflects his standing at the club.’
As well as Barcelona, Partey has attracted interest from his former club Atletico Madrid, Serie A giants Juventus and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Besiktas.
Partey has made 167 appearances for Arsenal since joining the club in 2021 in a £45m deal from Atletico.
After welcoming Zubimendi to Arsenal, Arteta is expected to target a new striker, with Viktor Gyokeres or Benjamin Sesko likely to arrive at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners were one of a number of clubs linked with Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap but Chelsea appear to have won that transfer race.
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