Report: Atletico Madrid left fuming as Arsenal sign Thomas Partey

Add as preferred source on Google

ESPN have claimed that Atletico Madrid are fuming after Arsenal completed a move to sign Thomas Partey from Diego Simeone’s side – after being informed of the deal by La Liga at 11:28pm on Monday, with the La Liga deadline at midnight.

Partey, 27, joined Arsenal on deadline day with the Ghana international securing a move to the Gunners in the final hour of the window. It was a summer-long saga that went Arsenal’s way in the dying moments, after his £45million clause was activated.

However, the report claims Atletico have been left ‘angry’ at his exit. Arsenal did not have to enter talks with Atletico at any point, given that his release clause was controlled by La Liga.

Arsenal representatives informed La Liga on deadline day that they would activate Partey’s exit clause, but it appears that La Liga did not tell Atletico this news until 32 minutes before the deadline. By that time, Partey was an Arsenal player.

TBR’s view – Have Atletico been unfairly treated?

Informing the Spanish side that Arsenal would be activating the clause with just over half an hour gave Atletico no chance to spend the money they would be receiving for Partey – and therefore unable to bring in a replacement.

English fans will have seen just how crucial Partey is to Atletico last season, when Atletico knocked Liverpool out of the Champions League. During the clash, Partey was sensational for the La Liga outfit.

Yes, Atletico have been unfairly treated and should have been kept up to date. Now, they will have to wait three months until January before being able to sign a replacement.