Barcelona plot sensational swoop for Arsenal star Thomas Partey

Barcelona are planning a shock swoop for Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey when his contract at the London club expires next summer, according to Mundo Deportivo.

The Catalans are cash-strapped. They are scrambling for funds to register Dani Olmo in January and have resorted to pulling levers again, but it might not be enough to strengthen their squad.

Like last summer, Barca are preparing to assault the free transfer market to bolster their ranks and have turned to Partey, whose deal is up in 2025 and has not been offered a new contract.

Partey has managed to stay fit this season despite his usual injury troubles, playing 17 Premier League games, registering two goals and two assists. He has also been a mainstay in Arsenal’s UEFA Champions League campaign, starting all six matches.

Barca want to sign the 31-year-old on a free transfer to replace Frenkie De Jong, whom they are trying to offload again this summer due to his exorbitant wages.

While Partey is a top midfielder, Barcelona must be more ambitious with their choices. With Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich becoming a free agent next summer, the Spanish club has to do everything to sign the German international – he would fit like a glove.

The 29-year-old is reportedly unhappy that sporting chief Max Eberl is trying to give him a figure lower than his current €20 million yearly salary.

Kimmich is open to a move away from the Allianz Arena if the club continues to stall. Several clubs are interested in signing him, and Barca must position themselves ahead of the queue for his signature.

Kimmich is a world-class operator in the engine room and at right-back, another area where Barca need reinforcement. He can cover both positions seamlessly.

The free market is brimming with several exciting names, and Barca should be ready to take the picks of the bunch.