The Ghanaian midfielder has a release clause in his contract worth €50million (£44.8m) and has long been linked with a move to north London – though Arsenal have less money to spend this summer due to the financial implications of thecoronavirus crisis.
In normal circumstances, that transfer fee would represent a bargain for a player of Partey’s pedigree and experience, but so far no club has stumped up the release clause.
He could become even better value, with Spanish radio showCadena COPEreporting that Atletico’s bosses are now keen to cash in on Partey, even for a fee under his buyout.
The Spanish club’s board are conscious of the need to raise funds in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and see Partey as their most sellable asset, while they are already well stocked in central midfield.
Without offloading the 27-year-old, Diego Simeone will be severely hampered in the transfer market and he is known to be keen to reshuffle his attack, while Partey has so far resisted attempts to extend his contract and insert a larger release clause.
Atletico will have been aware of Arsenal’s interest for some time and the feeling behind the scenes at the club is that Partey will end up in the Premier League.
Arsenal currently appear to be the ‘best placed team’ to land the powerful midfielder, though Mikel Arteta may need to sell some players to raise funds himself, while the wage bill could prove a hindrance for making moves in the transfer market.
Partey returned to action for the first time in three months on Sunday, picked in the starting XI alongside Marcos Llorente for Atleti’s clash with Athletic Bilbao.
Despite the interest from the Premier League, Partey has been in no rush to leave the Wanda Metropolitano, telling Cadena Cope earlier this year: ‘I’ve grown up in Atleti and I am sure I will stay here. I don’t know of another place that will understand how I play like they do here.’
Source:Metro
