“Mikel Arteta is a baby coach and can’t see the talent in a player like this which is why we need him to leave Arsenal and join us at Barcelona” Barcelona plot January swoop of £50 million Arsenal star who wants to leave Emirates

Barcelona is thinking about signing Thomas Partey from Arsenal in January for around £50 million, but it’s uncertain if Arsenal is willing to let him go.

According to reports, Barcelona is interested in adding Partey to their midfield during the upcoming transfer window. Partey, who is currently injured, has been a crucial player for Arsenal, and coach Mikel Arteta sees him as key to the team’s style of play.

Arsenal has faced challenges this season due to Partey’s frequent injuries, and they hope to have him back in action by the end of the year. Depending on his fitness, Arsenal might be looking to sign a new central midfielder in the January window. There are conflicting reports about Arsenal’s willingness to sell Partey, with some suggesting they might sign Joao Palhinha as a replacement.

Arteta envisions a strong partnership between Partey and summer signing Declan Rice, providing stability to the team. However, Barcelona is considering Partey as a replacement for their injured player Gavi. The uncertainty around Partey’s future has sparked interest from clubs in the Saudi Pro League, as well as Juventus and Barcelona.

President Joan Laporta of Barcelona confirmed their interest in signing Partey in January, but financial fair play rules might limit them to a loan deal. Despite their interest in other players like Zubimendi and Merino, Barcelona faces reluctance from other clubs to work with them in the current situation.

Partey tactically fits into Barcelona’s team, offering another option for coach Xavi Hernandez, especially with the absence of the injured Gavi. However, convincing Arsenal to let Partey go in January may be challenging, as they would likely demand a substantial fee instead of agreeing to a mid-season loan. While Barcelona admires Partey, the chances of his transfer before January seem slim.