Arsenal have been linked with Atletico Madrid star Thomas Partey for many months now, but whether they can actually get a deal done remains to be seen.
The Gunners may be in the market for a combative midfielder this summer to bolster Mikel Arteta’s side, and Partey appears to be the top choice.
The Guardian reported in April that Arsenal have made contact with Partey’s agent. Atletico were fighting to keep him, offering him the chance to double his money with a new deal.
Atletico also wanted to get rid of the €50million (£45million) release clause in Partey’s deal. So far, they haven’t managed to reach an agreement with the Ghanaian international.
Arsenal seem most keen, but their chances of a deal have been hit. The global pandemic means Arsenal’s budget has been hit, and big-money signings may prove difficult.
It’s certainly hard to see them splashing £45million on Partey unless sales are made, no matter how much Arteta might want the 26-year-old at the Emirates Stadium.
Now, Spanish football expert Guillem Balague has had his say. Balague claims that Atletico are pushing Partey out of the door, with a feeling that they almost want somebody to step up and pay the €50million, with ‘indications’ that Arsenal will be his next club.
Balague added that he would be ‘very surprised’ if Arsenal come up with the cash for a deal this summer, and noted that Partey has been thinking of leaving for a while now, because Mauricio Pochettino wanted to bring him to Spurs in 2019.
“He’s been linked to Arsenal, even his dad has said his buyout clause is €50million, so if anybody wants him, he is available – that is true,” said Balague. “Atletico Madrid are pushing him out of the door as well. The thing coming out of the club is that ‘well, we cannot do anything if somebody comes with €50million’, almost like wishing that those €50million arrived. They are saying that they believe that Thomas won’t stay there next season, but isn’t that another way of saying that he is for sale? And they believe that he will be in the Premier League and they’ve got indications that Arsenal will be the one.”
“€50million for Thomas Partey… it’s very difficult, the information I’m getting of the kind of money that’s available at Arsenal – and it’s not a lot – I would be surprised, very very surprised if that happens. Of course, he is somebody that Arsenal likes, I’m not sure they have the money to pay the €50million, and meanwhile himself and Atletico Madrid are open to move on. Remember that Thomas Partey was approached by Pochettino to come to Spurs. It didn’t happen because the money wasn’t made available for Pochettino, and that means that it’s been a while now that Thomas Partey has been thinking of leaving,” he added.
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