Atletico Madrid are all set to battle it out with Barcelona for the signature of Arsenal midfield star Thomas Partey.
According to a report from Fichajes, Diego Simeone has asked for the signing of Thomas Partey. The Argentine manager wants to reunite with the Ghanaian international, with him all set to part ways with Arsenal at the end of the season.
Partey joined the Gunners towards the end of 2020, and he has been a key figure in their first team since the start. While he did have the best of the 2023/24 season as he missed a significant amount of games because of injuries, the 31-year-old has made quite a comeback in the ongoing campaign.
He remains one of the first names on their team sheet under Mikel Arteta, but his continuity at the club isn’t guaranteed as his contract runs out at the end of the season. Partey doesn’t seem to be keen on penning a new deal.
He wants to try a different challenge in the final phase of his career and is keen on earning a significant signing fee. Several clubs across Europe are keen on securing his signature, with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid leading the race.
Barcelona are keen on signing Arsenal mainstay
Both Spanish giants are ready to meet the players’ demands as they do not want to miss out on the opportunity to sign him on a free transfer. The Catalan giants seek more quality and experience in the centre of the park, and Partey could be a great addition to their ranks.
However, Barcelona’s financial struggles could pose a major hurdle. They must offload players before making any signings, which could complicate any potential move. It could be a massive advantage for their rivals, Atletico.
Atletico are pushing hard to re-sign Partey
Simeone’s team have another massive advantage due to their strong relationship with the player from his previous stint at the club. Partey came up the ranks at the club and was a part of their first-team setup for around five years.
He was an important part of Simeone’s setup back in the day, and it is one of the reasons why he wants to reunite with the 31-year-old. The Argentine seeks more competition in the centre of the park and feels Partey’s strong physical presence, and his experience could come in handy.