Thomas Partey’s difficult week has taken another twist, with reports indicating that Villarreal have decided against offering the Ghana midfielder a new contract.
According to The Athletic, the Spanish club do not intend to extend Partey’s stay beyond the current deal, meaning the 33-year-old will become a free agent at the end of June.
The development comes at a challenging time for the former Arsenal midfielder, who is already dealing with uncertainty during Ghana’s FIFA World Cup campaign.
Partey recently found himself at the centre of a major controversy after Canadian authorities denied him entry into the country ahead of Ghana’s opening Group L match against Panama in Toronto. The decision was later upheld by a Canadian court, ruling him out of the Black Stars’ tournament opener.
The midfielder’s visa difficulties stem from ongoing criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom involving seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault linked to allegations made by four women between 2020 and 2022. Partey has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is scheduled to stand trial later this year.
READMORE: Canada rejects Partey appeal, leaving Ghana without key midfielder
Partey spent the 2025/26 season with Villarreal following his departure from Arsenal. He made 32 appearances across all competitions for the Yellow Submarine, contributing his experience to the club’s midfield during a campaign that ultimately failed to convince the Spanish side to offer an extension.
The latest setback leaves Partey facing an uncertain club future while also attempting to help Ghana navigate their World Cup campaign.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid confirmed a major transfer move on Wednesday after reaching an agreement to sign Portugal international Bernardo Silva.
Silva departed Manchester City at the end of last season and has now signed a two-year contract with the Spanish giants, keeping him at the Santiago Bernabéu until June 30, 2028.
The experienced playmaker will join Jose Mourinho’s new-look Real Madrid side as the club continues to reshape its squad ahead of the upcoming season.
