Report claims Atletico Madrid are relaxing Arsenal transfer target Thomas Partey stance

Add as preferred source on Google

Atletico Madrid are reportedly more open than ever to the sale of Thomas Partey, after identifying a potential replacement. 

Arsenal have been linked with a move for the Ghanaian midfielder throughout the summer. It has been claimed (The Guardian) the combative midfielder wants a move to The Emirates this summer and that the Spanish side have been desperately trying to negotiate a new deal with the player which would eradicate his current £44 million release clause. 

Potential swap deals involving Arsenal players heading to the Spanish capital have also been mentioned and it has become clear Partey is the midfielder Mikel Arteta wants to transform his team.

Now it seems Atletico might be willing to give up on their pursuit of keeping Partey, after finding the player who can replace him at the Estadio Metropolitano. 

El Gol Digital is reporting that Atletico are targeting Mallorca midfield revelation Idrissu Baba. The report claims that Los Colchoneros have now ‘given the OK’ for Partey’s sale as they are confident of securing Baba’s signature. 

Of course, Arsenal will be hoping to lower that asking price, perhaps with swap options. However, according to ESPN, Arsenal will be willing to pay that amount for Partey, if they can negotiate a deal in which the fee is paid in installments. 

It may seem like a pipedream considering the current financial situation but it does appear to look increasingly likely that Arsenal might be able to pull this deal off.