Barcelona interested in key Arsenal player

Premier League title-chasing Arsenal face London rivals West Ham United on Saturday afternoon. 

Last time out substitute Mikel Merino netted twice to earn the Gunners a crucial win against struggling Leicester City, although Mikel Arteta’s side remain seven points behind runaway leaders Liverpool at the top of the standings.

Arteta has guided his side to second-placed finishes in each of the past two campaigns, and the former Arsenal midfielder will desperate to go one better this time around.

The North London side will have to rely on the Reds slipping up at least three times in the final 13 matches of the season, though, and they too will also have to avoid dropping any points.

Arteta and those guiding Arsenal’s recruitment may look to bolster the Spaniard’s squad this summer, but it also appears that one of their current players is attracting interest from one of Europe’s biggest clubs.

As reported by CaughtOffside, Spanish side Barcelona are interested in Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey.

The Ghana international joined the Gunners from La Liga side Atletico Madrid in 2020 and recently made his 150th appearance for the Gunners.

Partey has emerged as a target for Spanish side Barcelona ahead of the summer transfer window

Having missed much of last term with a hamstring injury, the central midfielder has re-established himself as a key part of Arteta’s squad this season.

The 31-year-old is, however, in the final six months of his current contract at The Emirates, and therefore looks increasingly likely to depart the club as a free agent at the end of the season.

It is claimed that the Ghanaian has not yet made a decision on his future, however La Liga giants Barcelona have shown interest in signing him this summer.

Italian side Juventus are also keeping tabs on the midfielder, according to the report, with the midfielder set to be available on a free transfer unless Arsenal decide to offer him a new deal.