Report: £45m player tells people close to him he wants Arsenal move

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Arsenal have reportedly been handed a huge boost in their pursuit of Thomas Partey as the Atletico Madrid midfielder has seemingly “made it clear he would like to move to Arsenal and is hoping a deal can be struck between the clubs”, according to The Telegraph.

The Atletico Madrid midfielder has been linked with Arsenal for some time and speculation gathered pace towards the end of April when his father was quoted as saying that both parties have been in contact about a possible transfer to the Emirates Stadium.

“I called my son after hearing the rumours and he told me that the rumours are true,” Jacob Partey told Tru FM’s Sports World Show, as quoted by Football London. “He told me they are holding talks between him and Arsenal.”

The player’s agency, JJ Sports, then claimed that Arsenal actually weren’t as close to landing the £46million man as had been suggested, telling Marca: “This is all fake”.

However, The Telegraph has now reported that the 26-year-old has told those close to him he has ambitions of proving himself in the Premier League with a move to the Emirates Stadium.

The report adds that Partey was high on the list of targets for Mikel Arteta before football shut down due to the global health crisis, and a move will hinge on whether Arsenal can structure a deal, with Atletico seemingly interested in Alexandre Lacazette, who could be used as a makeweight.

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Partey is a player of the highest calibre, a key member of the Atletico side which knocked current Champions League holders Liverpool out of the competition at the last 16 stage.

A no-nonsense defensive midfielder, his reputation is growing across European football, and he’s shown he can impress on the elite stage.

Partey usually sits in a deeper midfield role in front of the back four and is an expert at breaking up play with his aggressive tackling and reading of the game, something Arsenal really could do with.

For him to reportedly have his heart set on a move to Arsenal will undoubtedly be music to the Gunners fanbase’s ears as Mikel Arteta seeks to reshape his squad ahead of the new season.