Barcelona director Deco keeping tabs on soon-to-be-free Arsenal midfielder

Given their economic situation, FC Barcelona are always alert to any cost-effective opportunities in the market while also keeping a close eye on the free-agent pool.

Heading into the summer of 2025, there will be a number of top players whose contracts are expiring and the Catalans already have their sights on some of those stars like Jonathan David, Joshua Kimmich, and Jonathan Tah, among others.

Now, it appears that another potential free agent has been added to the Blaugrana’s transfer watchlist for the summer of 2025.

Thomas Partey on Deco’s radars

Indeed, according to journalist Miguel Rico (h/t FCB World), Barcelona director Deco is interested in roping in Arsenal midfield powerhouse Thomas Partey in the summer.

As per the report, the Blaugrana transfer executive tried to rope in the Ghanaian midfielder in the recent past as well, only to see Mikel Arteta block the player’s exit.

However, Partey is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, with his contract expiring on June 30, 2025, and no signs of an extension as of yet.

The 31-year-old is a player with vast experience and has also tasted success in La Liga in the past during his stint with Atletico Madrid.

While he has had some fitness issues in the past, Partey has been fit and firing this season and has featured in nine matches for Arsenal, even scoring a goal.

There has been no movement from Barcelona thus far, but the midfielder will be allowed to negotiate with any club of his choice starting from January, when he enters the final six months of his contract.

Whether Deco and Barça make a move for Partey then will certainly be interesting to see.