Report: Arsenal Risk Losing Key Star With La Liga Return on the Table | OneFootball

Thomas Partey and Atlético: A Reconnection With Deeper Meaning

Return of a Key Identity

For Atlético Madrid, the potential re-signing of Thomas Partey is less about tactics or timing, and more about identity. Marca’s report makes it clear: this is no ordinary transfer. This is a club trying to retrieve part of its DNA.

Partey may be turning 32 this year, but age seems immaterial when framed against the backdrop of what he represents. He is not a gamble. He is a known quantity. A product of the Atlético system, a trusted foot soldier in Diego Simeone’s relentless machine. His departure in 2020 was swift, the result of Arsenal meeting his €50 million release clause on deadline day. The scars of that exit haven’t healed entirely in Madrid.

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“His return would represent an immediate performance signing due to his knowledge of the club, the captains, Cholo’s style, LaLiga…” Marca states — not as a prediction, but a declaration. Simeone doesn’t just need midfielders. He needs believers. Partey, in that regard, remains one of his most devout disciples.

A Perfect Window of Opportunity

Partey’s contract with Arsenal expires in June. No automatic renewal clause. No leverage. Just a clean slate. As per Marca, “his status as a free agent and his reputation as an undisputed starter at Arsenal… make him an attractive option for anyone.” That is the double-edged sword for Atlético — opportunity on one side, risk of a bidding war on the other.

The Spanish side are moving early, keen to avoid a repeat of the last four windows, where attempts to plug the ‘number 5’ gap — through Torreira, Kondogbia, Vermeeren, and others — all fell short. “A number 5… has eluded them for the last four transfer windows,” the article reminds us. It’s a vacancy that’s distorted their midfield structure and accelerated tactical compromises, like pushing Barrios into a role he wasn’t yet ready for.

Partey isn’t just the ideal solution; he’s the overdue one.

Fighting Time and Temptation

Despite injuries and evolving expectations at Arsenal, Partey remains pivotal. He’s played 160 matches, scored nine goals, and lifted a Community Shield — statistics that are all the more impressive given the physical setbacks. His goal against Brentford last week was a reminder that he still has the power to affect games at both ends of the pitch.

But for all the logic in this potential transfer, it is not without challenge. Atlético “will not be short of offers” for Partey, Marca warns. They must convince him not just with sentiment or style, but with a serious project. It’s here where their ambition — domestically and in the expanded Club World Cup — becomes essential bargaining material.

Beyond Just a Signing

Partey’s possible return signals a pivot for Atlético: a desire to reconnect with their recent past, while also reshaping the midfield future. It’s about regaining control — technically, emotionally, and symbolically. Carlos Bucero’s planning isn’t just about next season. It’s about restoring balance to a side that, despite its tenacity, has lacked a true anchor.

Verratti, Højbjerg, Zubimendi, Amrabat — all considered. All unreachable. With Partey, there is hope. There is a bond. And perhaps, finally, there is a solution.

Our View – EPL Index

Thomas Partey’s potential exit from Arsenal may not provoke widespread outrage among the fanbase, but it should trigger real questions. At his best, Partey is Arteta’s metronome — composed under pressure, physically dominant, and positionally disciplined. His performances haven’t always matched expectation due to injuries, but when fit, his presence transforms the team.

Arsenal’s interest in Martín Zubimendi — as reported — suggests the club is preparing for evolution in midfield. But it’s a dangerous game. Replacing Partey isn’t just about matching attributes; it’s about replicating chemistry and understanding. “Only an injury last season prevented him from shining even more,” Marca reported — and that’s true. When Arsenal were pushing City last season, Partey was instrumental until he wasn’t available.

Letting him go for free feels like an odd end to a £50 million investment, especially as he just scored against Brentford and remains a consistent pick when available. If this is a clean break, Arsenal must ensure that the next pivot isn’t just a stylistic fit, but a leader too. Zubimendi may be the future — but Partey remains the present. Losing him without a transitional plan could unsettle more than expected.