Ghanian journalist Rahman Osman has backed the father of Thomas Partey over comments he made about a move to Arsenal.
The Atlético Madrid midfielder’s father had the transfer rumour wheel in overdrive last week when he claimed his son was on the verge of a move to Arsenal, who were looking at ways to activate his €50m release clause at the Spanish club.
That was quickly dismissed by his agents, who claimed that there had been no talks with the Gunners and those quotes were part of an ‘agenda’.
Partey Snr then commented again, urging his son to make a move to the Emirates if it’s offered, a statement which was once again dismissed by his agents and in Spain.
Osman has since been in touch with the player’s father, and he insists that the quotes are genuine, although he wasn’t supposed to be airing them.
“I do not know the smallest details in the contact submitted by Atlético Madrid,” he told The AFC Bell, relayed by Ghanaweb.
“But the description that I received from my sources stated that it did not meet the aspirations of the player and his team.
“This offer is ‘rubbish’, and therefore the player did not sign it. I contacted Thomas’ father, and the quotes are real.
“He said that on the radio but was not authorised to publish those details.”
What this shows is that, despite claims to the contrary, Arsenal are genuinely interested in Partey this summer and may have even held preliminary talks.
There was never any reason for Partey Snr to make anything up, although perhaps the extent of the talks isn’t quite as far as he claimed.
What is clear is that Partey and his representatives aren’t happy with what’s being offered, particularly in light of Partey Snr urging his son to move where the money is.
That suggests there’s a window there for Arsenal to exploit if they want to, although whether they can given the state of their finances, remains to be seen.
