Barcelona have been offered the chance to sign Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey on a free transfer.
The Ghana international’s contract is due to expire in the summer and he appears destined to leave on a free.
Partey joined Arsenal five years ago when Arsenal’s former Sporting Director sanctioned the decision to activate the £50 million release clause in his Atletico Madrid contract.
The 31-year-old has been a key figure in the various incarnations of the Arsenal side’s built by Mikel Arteta during his tenure.
Ironically, in what is likely to be his final season with the north London club, Partey appears to have overcome the injury issues that plagued his time with Arsenal.
Get personalised updates on Arsenal everyday
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you.
With a deal already understood to have been lined up for Martin Zubimendi, Arsenal are ready to sanction Partey’s departure and the player’s agents have been sounding out various leading European clubs.
Barcelona are among those clubs who have been credited with an interest but they are unlikely table a concrete offer according to Sport.
The current La Liga leaders are well stocked with midfield options and have already shown an interest in Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich.
The vastly experienced Germany international, like Partey, is a free agent in the summer and has been involved in a contract stand-off with his current employers.
Arsenal, too, have been linked with a move for Kimmich and the 30-year-old has been speaking about his future in recent days.
‘My plan was to make my decision before the international break,’ he said after playing the full 90 minutes in Wednesday’s Champions League win against Bayer Leverkusen.
‘The club didn’t want that, which is legitimate. There will be a decision soon. It will definitely be before the international break at the latest.’
Kimmich continued: ‘Other clubs also play a role in my decision on the future. I won’t mention which clubs, but there will be a decision soon.’