FC Barcelona has dominated the free-agent market in recent years. Driven partly by financial constraints and partly by the remarkable opportunities available, the club has managed to secure several high-profile signings in recent seasons.
Players like Andreas Christensen, Ilkay Gundogan, and Inigo Martinez have made a significant impact at Barcelona. Franck Kessie even generated a profit for the club from his sale after just one season with the team. The jury is still out on Eric Garcia, while there have also been some misses, such as Marcos Alonso.
The Catalans are once again targeting the free-agent market and have been linked with several high-profile players whose contracts are set to expire at the end of the season. One notable name that emerged last month is Thomas Partey.
Now, as highlighted by SPORT, the Blaugrana are continuously monitoring the situation of €18m-rated Ghanaian midfielder who is emerging as the preferred candidate for Barcelona officials as they seek to strengthen the pivot position.
His five years of experience in La Liga with Atlético de Madrid, combined with his current tenure at Arsenal in the highest level of European football, makes him an appealing option.
However, until the summer, it appeared that Barcelona were severely lacking in depth in the pivot area. With the emergence of Marc Bernal and Marc Casado, though, the club’s defensive midfield looks significantly improved, despite the long-term injury to the 17-year-old.
Casado looks settled to occupy the holding role along with Frenkie de Jong for the rest of the season. Bernal is likely to return at the beginning of next season although it might take him some time to recover his best level.
The remainder of the season will provide a clearer picture of whether signing a new pivot like Partey is essential. If the club can make do without signing someone, there is no need for a new addition to the wage books.
It all depends on Casado & co. and let’s see how they fare through the season. However, the report mentions that the sporting department will not lose sight of Partey and will continue to monitor his situation.
