Report: Arsenal still hopeful of raising funds to sign £45m Thomas Partey

Add as preferred source on Google

Sky Sports have claimed on their Transfer Centre (Monday, 13:12pm) that Arsenal are still hopeful of securing a move to sign Atletico Madrid star Thomas Partey before Monday’s 11pm deadline – by ‘releasing’ players.

Partey, 27, has been the first name on Arsenal’s shortlist throughout the summer but it has appeared that the Gunners have been unable to meet the player’s asking price. Atletico will only sell if his £45million asking price is met.

The Gunners are expected to sanction loan moves for Lucas Torreira to Atletico, while Matteo Guendouzi is believed to be on his way to Hertha Berlin this summer – again on loan. But those moves could free up wages for a Partey move.

The north Londoners also brought in £20million from Aston Villa for Emi Martinez, while funds from potential exits of Sead Kolasinac, Shkodran Mustafi and Sokratis could also help Arsenal land Partey in the coming hours.

TBR’s view – Do Arsenal have a chance of landing Partey?

The Gunners need to raise funds. Martinez’s exit did not even raise half of the funds, while loan moves for Guendouzi and Torreira are hardly going to bring in the necessary funds to sanction a move for Partey.

Arsenal must cash in on Mustafi, Kolasinac and Sokratis – all on permanent fees – and look to raise the other £25million needed. Whether that occurs in time, and give the Gunners enough space to sign Partey, remains to be seen.

Whether Arsenal will actually release any players, remains to be seen.