Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is set to leave the club on a free transfer after talks over a new contract came to a “complete standstill,” according to reports.

Partey has been at the Emirates for the last five seasons after joining from Atletico Madrid for around £45 million and he has gone on to make 167 appearances.

He was a key player in Arsenal’s failed bid to win the Premier League title and Champions League last season after making 31 starts in the league, but now the Ghana international looks to be on his way out.

As reported by ESPN, Arsenal’s negotiations with Partey have broken down and he is now expected to leave when his deal expires on June 30. Barcelona have been linked for a swoop for Partey, while Turkish sides could also be interested in snapping him up for free, the report adds.

It comes at a time when Arsenal are expected to sign Martin Zubimendi imminently, though Arteta has insisted he still wants to have Partey in the squad and the news will come as a disappointment to the Spaniard.

When Arteta was asked if he felt the midfielder deserved a new deal last season, he said: “Yes. I think consistency-wise it’s been his best season. The way he’s played, performed, his availability, has been exceptional and he’s a really important player for us.”

Partey has also spoken out about his future this month as he stated his family would influence any decision on his future – but said he would leave it to Arsenal and his agent.

“I think the first thing is where are you happy and where do you feel at home,” he said. “At the end of the day you’ve been in football, you’ve been in different teams.

“Then it’s about what is your next objective what do you want to achieve next. You still have to look at all this and at the end of the day we all have a family that needs money, this is our mind.

“We are not getting younger. There are a lot of things where you have to look now with a family, where you want them to be happy. When you are young you just play anywhere.

“I’m an Arsenal fan, I can’t decide anything and just have to leave it to my agent and the club. Me, I just want to enjoy football.”