Thomas Partey to Arsenal: £43.5m transfer fee, release clause and what the midfielder has said

Thomas Partey is once again being linked with a move to Arsenal as Mikel Arteta plots to add to his squad ahead of the 2020/21 season.

The Spaniard made his first two signings as Gunners head coach in January, with Pablo Mari and Cedric Soares joining on loan from Flamengo and Southampton respectively.

Although the defensive duo have only made one Premier League appearance between them

Attentions are already turning towards permanent deals in the summer and the Gunners are being tipped to reignite their interest in Partey who is said to be a long term target of the club.

Reports suggested that he was one of Unai Emery’s top targets during last summer’s window and it seems that interest has not waned, with Arsenal again said to be interested in the Ghana international.

With that said, here’s everything we know about the Thomas Partey to Arsenal transfer rumours.

Release clause

The Atletico Madrid midfielder has a £43.5 million release clause in his contract at the Spanish club, and last summer the player’s agent confirmed the presence of the clause.

“I can say that right now, I haven’t talked to anyone, even if Inter are a top club,” he told Passione,” as per  Football Ghana. “There’s a €50m (£43.5m) release clause in his contract, a figure that’s cheap for a player like Thomas.

“We’ll wait for the season to end and then we’ll see.”

What the player has said

The player has previously talked about his desire to play in the Premier League to put Arsenal on red alert.

“At the moment, I am happy at my club,” Partey told  ESPN, speaking last summer.

“But in football, you never know when and where you’ll be in the next day or year

“The Premier League is a good league, it’s very competitive and has some of the best players in the world,” he added. “Hopefully, one day. I would like to play there.

“My agents are on it so I will leave everything for them,” he added.

“For me, I am happy playing football and I will continue to play where I am now until something comes up for consideration.”

Father’s Premier League hint

Partey’s father also reiterated his son’s desire to move to England one day.

“I personally told him to move on, if he is not wanted at where he is right now,” he told  Enigye FM.

“Because he might be wanted at somewhere else and so he will like to move to England if he gets the chance.

Impressive Liverpool performance

Partey was in action against Premier League opposition when his Atletico Madrid side took on runaway league leaders Liverpool in the Champions League round of 16.

The midfielder showed he would be able to hold his own in the league during the first leg. He has been a key player for Atletico in both the league and Champions League this season.

Midfielder’s stance

So key to Atletico is Partey that they are attempting to get the player to sign a new deal at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium which would raise his release clause to £92.3 million.

However, Spanish outlet as claim that that offer has been on the table for months with Partey delaying signing due to his “intention to listen to offers.”

The news will serve as a massive boost to Arsenal in hoping to secure his services in the summer.

£43.5m offer

Corriere dello Sport via Sport Witness are reporting that Arsenal have ‘€50m on the table’ for the Ghana international.

Furthermore, the report states that Partey is now ‘one step away’ from a move to the Emirates.

Amid talk of Barcelona being interested in Saul Niguez, the report from Spain claims Atletico might be reluctant to sell the Spaniard as they are already ‘preparing to lose another key midfielder’ in Partey.

source: football.london