Atletico Madrid have turned down the chance to sign Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey as a free agent this summer, according to reports.
Partey’s contract is due to expire this month on June 30 with the player believed to be seeking a fresh challenge once he leaves the Emirates.
It’s thought Arsenal had been hopeful of negotiating a renewal before talks broke down with the 31-year-old, who has been at the club since 2020.
While Arsenal are already eyeing up a replacement, it remains to be seen which team Ghanaian star Partey may join in the summer transfer window.
It appears that one side have been already been ruled out – Partey’s former club Atletico – who he left to join the Gunners five years ago.
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That’s according to Spanish outlet Estadio Deportivo, who report Atletico have rejected the idea of bringing Partey back into Diego Simeone’s squad.
It’s believed that Atletico are instead keen to wrap up a deal for Real Betis star Johnny Cardoso, worth around €40m (£34.2m).
Thomas Partey opens up about ‘difficult period’
Partey recently revealed that he had agreed to renew his contract with Atletico in the summer of 2020 – but it fell through as Atletico’s president Enrique Cerezo refused to pay his agent a 10 per cent commission fee.
Arsenal then swooped in at the last minute on deadline day, having originally given up on a deal.
‘Transitioning from Spain to London was the most difficult [period] of my life,’ Partey told Ghanian outlet 3Sports this month.
Partey established himself as a key player under Mikel Arteta, playing a total of 52 games across all competitions in the 2024-25 campaign.
In total, the defensive midfielder has featured 167 times for Arsenal to date, chipping in with nine goals and seven assists.
Martin Zubimendi, who is set to join Arsenal from Real Sociedad this summer, will essentially replace Partey in Arteta’s squad.
But Arsenal will also look to bring in another defensive midfielder if and when Partey’s exit is confirmed, especially given Jorginho is leaving too.
Sevilla star Lucien Agoume is reported to be on Arsenal’s list of potential options.
Brentford captain Christian Norgaard is also being considered, according to The Mirror.
Last month, Arsenal manager Arteta was asked if he wanted Partey to stay at the club and said: ‘Yeah.
‘Consistency-wise, it’s been his best season. I think the way he’s played, performed, his availability has been exceptional and he’s a really important player for us.’
