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PARTING WAYS
Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey linked with shock transfer to European giants with midfielder yet to agree new deal
Other clubs have also been linked with the star
THOMAS PARTEY could call an end to his time in North London amid interest from a European giant.
The Arsenal midfielder, 30, is reportedly a top target for Barcelona as he heads into the final year of his contract.
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Spanish journalist has claimed that Partey is high up on the list of potential targets for the bigwigs at Barcelona this summer.
And with the Ghanaian's contract set to expire in 2025, he could prove to be an affordable option for the the cash-strapped Catalans.
Partey, who joined Arsenal from Atletico Madrid in 2020, is yet to agree any kind of extension with the Gunners and looks likely to heading for the exit doors soon.
While teammate Jorginho has been offered fresh terms with the club, leaving Partey to slip further down the pecking order.
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Partey has struggled for fitness in recent seasons and has been limited to just 11 league appearances as a result this term.
His time on the pitch has also taken a hit after the £105m arrival of Declan Rice this summer.
Mikel Arteta is considering his options regarding Partey's future with hopes that he can make some of the £45m the club spent on him back if a deal is sanctioned.
Barcelona aren't the only club to be linked with a move for the star with Serie A outfit Juventus also rumoured to be interested.
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There had also been links to Saudi Arabia in the January transfer window but a deal didn't come to fruition.
Arteta and Arsenal sporting director Edu may be hoping to raise more funds for their transfer kitty ahead of what could be an expensive summer.
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Reports have suggested the north Londoners are in search of a striker with names like Alexander Isak, Victor Gyokeres and Joshua Zirkzee touted.
However Kai Havertz's exceptional form since the turn of the year may mean the club shift their attention to other positions that need depth such as left-back and right-wing.
Mikel Arteta's striker shopping list
By Jordan Davies
ARSENAL are stepping up plans to sign a world-class striker in the summer after their Champions League heartbreak.
Mikel Arteta splashed out £204.5m last summer on Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber.
But the Spanish manager accepts he needs a proven goalscorer to take the club to the next level.
And here are the players he is looking at to get the Gunners firing:
BENJAMIN SESKO (RB Leipzig, value £40m-£45m)
One for the future at 20 years old. Scored 16 goals for RB Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga last season and the Slovenian has carried on that good form in Germany with Leipzig this campaign.
VIKTOR GYOKERES (Sporting Lisbon, value £60m-£80m)
Been scouted several times this season. The Swedish striker, 25, is more of a traditional No 9 so may not suit Arsenal’s demand for flexibility but would bring a physicality that boss Mikel Arteta craves.
ALEXANDER ISAK (Newcastle, value £75m-£85m)
Impressed in his first two seasons in English football. The Swede, 24, has the pace and finesse to match his finishing ability, and Eddie Howe’s Toon may need to sell to balance the books this summer.
JOSHUA ZIRKZEE (Bologna, value £45m-£50m)
Dutch wonder is attracting the attentions of clubs across Europe. At 6ft 4in the 22-year-old forward would have no trouble adapting to the Premier League and already has an eye for goal.
XAVI SIMONS (RB Leipzig, value £70m-£80m)
An incredible talent in the Bukayo Saka mould, currently on loan from Paris Saint-Germain. The future of the Dutch attacker, 20, depends on how much money his parent club want to make from him.
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