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 scrambling for funds to register Dani Olmo in January and have resorted to pulling financial levers again, but it may not be enough to strengthen their squad.
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 stayed 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 Champions League campaign, starting all six matches.
Barca want to sign the 31-year-old on a free transfer to replace Frenkie De Jong, who they are trying to offload again this summer due to his excessive 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 must 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.
He is a world-class operator in the engine room and at right-back, another area where Barca require reinforcements. He can cover both positions seamlessly.
