Arsenal target Thomas Partey helped ruin Arsene Wenger’s club swansong in 2018

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal are reportedly keen on a deal for Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey. As reported by Libertad Digital, Arsenal are willing to pay Partey’s relatively low release clause of €50 million (£46m) in the summer. 

The news took on extra significance after the Ghanaian starred against Liverpool in the Champions League recently, as Los Colchoneros dumped the reigning champions out of the competition. 

The speculation has seen Atletico begin plans to secure Partey to a new deal, with a far more expensive £93 million release clause, according to Goal.

Arsenal fans would, however, love to see Partey arrive, and they have seen first hand what he is capable of. 

Indeed, he helped dump Arsenal out of the Europa League in 2018. In doing so, he helped kill off Arsene Wenger’s dream of a final title before stepping away from the North London club. 

Partey even spoke to The Independent before the semi-final second-leg, mentioning Wenger’s looming departure, but insisting the Spanish side would have enough to progress. 

“They have their mission to sign off Wenger very well but we also have to continue to ensure that every season we are among the best in Europe and that is where our fire comes from.

“Things can change so fast in football so we don’t have to lower our guard we know we have world class players but Arsenal has also world class players so it will all come down to the determined team so we will be ready for them for another battle.”

He was right, as Atletico advanced to the final, where they claimed the Europa League title. 

Partey was sensational in both legs of that tie with Wenger’s Arsenal, even though he was filling in at an unusual position with Atleti suffering a right-back shortage. 

Now, two years after helping to deny Wenger a potentially glorious last swansong, Arsenal look set to try their best to bring the 26-year-old to The Emirates.