Arsenal ‘continue to mull’ over a deal for Atlético Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey but cannot afford his €50m asking price at present.
Partey has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates this summer, with numerous reports linking him to Mikel Arteta’s side over the last six months.
Indeed, at one point it looked like a move was inevitable as his father claimed that talks were already underway and urged his son to swap Madrid for London.
That has not happened, but the rumours have continued nonetheless, with it made clear that Partey is a player Arsenal are interested in.
They explain that the player is unhappy with his current wage packet and wants an improvement that represents the role he plays in Diego Simeone’s side.
Atlético can’t give him that right now, though, and this is a situation that Partey believes is unfair given the wages that several of his teammates are earning.
He is not going to force an exit but is open to leaving and ‘several important clubs’ have him ‘in their sights’.
Arsenal are one of them but like the rest are yet to reach the €50m release clause in his contract to make a transfer happen.
They are continuing to ‘mull over his possible incorporation’ and, while they have ‘practically thrown in the towel’, they do have a ‘complicated last play’ in mind so they can afford the release clause.
Mundo claim that they are considering selling six players to raise funds in a ‘last desperate attempt’ to sign Partey as finances are tight following the arrival of five players already.
That has left Arteta with ‘little money’ for any other incomings, even though the Spaniard wants to reinforce his midfield. He likes both Partey and Lyon’s Houssem Aouar, hence the rumours about both.
The lack of money make both difficult, though, with it looking likely neither player will get closer until Arsenal can get a few of their players through the exit door.
