ARSENAL have reportedly made a last-gasp bid for Thomas Partey.
Goal claim the Gunners have finally made their move for the Atletico Madrid midfielder after losing out on Houssem Aouar.
Arsenal have made a deadline day bid for Atletico Madrid star Thomas ParteyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has been desperately chasing a new central midfielder this summer.
Arsenal registered an interest in both Partey and Aouar as early as June.
However, after balking at 27-year-old Partey’s £45million release clause at Atletico Madrid, Arteta turned his attention to Frenchman Aouar.
Yet Lyon soon turned down the Gunners offer of £32.6m AND outcast Matteo Guendouzi to potentially leave Arsenal without the possibility of bringing in any attacking reinforcements.
The Londoners have now performed another U-turn with a dramatic deadline day bid for Partey but face a race against the clock.
Guendouzi now looks set to join Hertha Berlin while Lucas Torreira is on the verge of joining Atletico on a temporary deal with an option to buy.
Although Diego Simeone’s side need to shift a midfielder before they sign the Uruguayan and as a result, Arsenal could finally get their man.
Spanish football expert Guillem Balague has claimed the Gunners will pay Partey’s full release clause and won’t agree a cut-price deal.
Arsenal’s legal team are thought to be at the club’s London Colney training ground working to get the transfer done, with his medical due to take place in Madrid soon, as per football.london.
Samuel Zigah, who is the Ghanian’s PR officer, has sent fans into overdrive after tweeting an emoji of an hourglass.
The same cryptic hint was used by Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang when announcing his new contract at the club.
Arsenal’s spark into action may have also been caused by rivals Chelsea, who were said to have registered a late interest in Partey.
The Blues had hoped to take advantage of their London rivals’ dithering with yet another big-money signing this summer.
Frank Lampard had eyed Partey as the perfect replacement for another Arsenal target – Jorginho – while he is also being linked with Declan Rice.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta gives cheeky smile when asked about transfer for Atletico’s Thomas Partey
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
