Barcelona interested in Arsenal midfielder

Arsenal are back in action on Tuesday evening as they face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. 

The Gunners don’t feature in this weekend’s FA Cup fourth round after being knocked out by Liverpool in the last round, but the game against Forest will provide Mikel Arteta’s side with an opportunity to close the gap to league leaders Liverpool.

As we enter the final week of the January transfer window, Arsenal are one of a number of Premier League clubs that are yet to make a signing.

The North London outfit could still be active in the final days of the window, but it appears that one of their current players is attracting interest from elsewhere.

As per Marca via The Standard, Spanish giants Barcelona are interested in Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey and could make a move for the player if he becomes available.

Partey, 30, has missed much of the current season due to a hamstring injury and is currently sidelined.

The midfielder joined Arsenal from Spanish side Atletico Madrid in 2020 and has since made more than 100 appearances for the Gunners across all competitions.

Last term, he played an instrumental role for Mikel Arteta’s side as they challenged for the Premier League title, before ultimately finishing as runners-up behind Manchester City.

Partey has, however, entered into the final 18 months of his current contract, and the report claims that Barcelona could look to sign the Ghana international if he were to be made available for sale this summer.

Despite his recent injury lay-off, Partey is said to have returned to training in recent days and could soon make a return to action.

The arrival of Declan Rice from West Ham United last summer could threaten the Ghanaian’s place in the starting line-up at The Emirates, though.