Thomas Partey’s time at Arsenal appears to be nearing its end, but a return to his former club Atletico Madrid won’t be part of the next chapter. Despite Partey becoming available on a free transfer this summer, Atletico have opted against re-signing the Ghana international, according to reports from Spain.
Partey’s contract with Arsenal expires on June 30, and while the Gunners were hopeful of extending his stay, talks broke down with the 31-year-old reportedly set on a new challenge. Having left Atletico for Arsenal in 2020 after a last-minute deadline day switch, speculation had naturally circled around a possible homecoming.
However, Estadio Deportivo reports that Diego Simeone’s side have no interest in reuniting with the midfielder. Instead, they are prioritizing a deal for Real Betis’ Johnny Cardoso, with a transfer fee of around €40m in the works.
Partey recently opened up about his unexpected Arsenal move, revealing he had agreed a contract renewal with Atletico before the club refused to pay a 10% agent commission. That impasse paved the way for Arsenal to swoop in and complete the deal.
In his five seasons at Arsenal, Partey featured in 167 matches and was a key figure under Mikel Arteta, especially during the 2024-25 campaign where he made 52 appearances. Arteta praised his consistency and impact, calling it his “best season” in terms of performance and availability.
Yet with Martin Zubimendi set to arrive from Real Sociedad and Jorginho also departing, Arsenal are eyeing further reinforcements in midfield. Sevilla’s Lucien Agoume and Brentford’s Christian Norgaard are reportedly among the names being considered.
While Partey seeks his next destination, Arteta may be quietly reshaping the heart of Arsenal’s midfield. One thing is clear – the door to Madrid has closed, and Partey will have to explore new ground for his next challenge.