Thomas Partey is on the verge of completing a move to La Liga side Villarreal CF on a one-year contract, with an option to extend beyond the 2025 summer. The 31-year-old Ghanaian midfielder is expected to return to Spanish football following his departure from Arsenal earlier this summer.
Partey’s agreement with Villarreal includes the possibility of prolonging his stay at La Cerámica, provided he impresses head coach Marcelino García Toral over the course of the season. The club, preparing for a return to the UEFA Champions League after finishing fifth in La Liga last season, sees central midfield as a key area needing reinforcement. With veteran Dani Parejo now 36 and both Santi Comesaña and Pape Gueye struggling for consistency, Villarreal has identified Partey as a solution to bolster the middle of the park.
A return to Spain represents familiar territory for Partey, who spent several successful seasons at Atlético Madrid before joining Arsenal in 2020. Despite a series of injury setbacks during his time in North London, Partey delivered an impressive 2024/25 campaign, making a personal-best 51 appearances across all competitions. He played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s strong run in the Premier League and helped the club reach its first UEFA Champions League semi-final since 2009.
However, Partey’s potential transfer comes amid significant off-field challenges. He was recently charged with five counts of rape following a three-year police investigation in the UK. The midfielder is expected to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday as part of the ongoing legal proceedings. There remains a possibility that the deal with Villarreal could collapse depending on the outcome of the court case.
Since arriving at Arsenal in 2020, Partey has made 130 appearances and scored nine goals. Now poised for a fresh chapter in Spain, his future both on and off the pitch remains closely watched.
