A summer switch to the Premier League by Ghana’s Thomas Partey appears very much on the cards as reports claim Atletico Madrid are resigned to losing his services.
Multiple reports from both England and Spain favour Arsenal to trigger a £45m clause to land the midfielder from the Spanish LaLiga outfit once the 2019/20 season ends.
The Gunners’ interest in the Partey is said to be an “open secret” with a lack of Champions League football not expected to affect the deal.
According to La Razon, Partey leaving a side who regularly compete in Europe is not likely to be an issue.
Atletico Madrid are said to have already begun preparing for life after Partey and are actively looking to identify his potential replacement.
A three-man shortlist, consisting of countryman and Real Mallorca’s Idrissu Baba, Getafe’s Mauro Arambarri, and Fulham’s Zambo Anguissa who is on loan at Villareal, is said to have been drawn by the Wanda Metropolitano stadium outfit.
Thomas Partey, the combative midfielder, played a crucial role as Diego Simeone’s side knocked Liverpool out of the Champions League in March.
And Mikel Arteta sees his £45m release clause as a bargain with a central midfielder on his shopping list.
Arsenal have the likes of Matteo Guendouzi and Granit Xhaka to pick from but Partey would add another dimension.
Partey has been a mainstay in the Atletico XI for several years and played in their 2016 Champions League final loss.
He signed his first contract with Atletico in 2011 and joined their reserve team a year later. Partey made his first-team debut in 2015 and has since played over 200 competitive games for the Rojiblancos.
Thomas Partey has been an integral part of the Atletico Madrid team this season and has made 38 appearances across all competitions.
