Arsenal ‘tell Atletico Madrid they’re willing to meet Thomas Partey’s £45m release clause’

Arsenal have told Atletico Madrid they are willing to meet Thomas Partey’s £45m release clause as the Gunners look to finalise a deadline day deal for the midfielder, according to Cadena COPE. 

Mikel Arteta has been eager to bolster his midfield this summer, but has been left frustrated by the club’s inability to secure their prime targets this summer window.

Partey, 27, has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium, as has Lyon star Houssem Aouar, but the Gunners have been unable to meet the price tags set for both players.

Arsenal have reportedly told Atletico they are willing to meet Thomas Partey’s release clause

Partey, 27, is a key target of Mikel Arteta, who is looking to bolster his midfield options

But Cadena COPE, a Spanish outlet, reports that Arsenal have communicated their intention to meet Partey’s £45m release clause, opening the door for a deadline day deal to be finalised. 

Partey’s current deal expires in 2023 and Atletico have been resolute in demanding that his £45m release clause is met. Arsenal’s willingness to meet that price tag makes a deal likely. 

The Spanish club have been keen to extend the midfielder’s deal, but financial ramifications of the coronavirus pandemic has meant that Atletico have been unable to meet the player’s demands. 

Atletico insist that Arsenal must meet Partey’s £45m release clause if they want to sign him

Spanish outlet Cadena COPE reports that Arsenal are ready to meet the £45m price tag

Diego Simeone would prefer to hold onto the Ghanaian and the club are looking to push other players out the door first. 

Hector Herrera, Thomas Lemar and Nikola Kalinic are being offered to other clubs as Atletico look to raise money through sales of other players.

Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira is close to joining Simeone’s side, but the club need to sell before they can officially confirm the deal. The Uruguayan passed his medical on Saturday and faces a nervous wait before the switch is completed. 

Gunners midfielder Lucas Torreira is set to go in the other direction but Atleti need to sell first

Meanwhile, Gunners outcast Matteo Guendouzi has undergone a medical ahead of a loan move to Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin.

The youngster has fallen down the pecking order in north London after falling out with Arteta, with the Spaniard left unimpressed by a series of misdemeanours.