Arsenal’s £22.5million bid for Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey, with unwanted star Matteo Guendouzi included as a makeweight, has reportedly been rejected.
The part-exchange deal appears to have collapsed due to Atletico’s demand for Partey’s release clause, which is valued at just under £50m, to be met for any negotiations to go ahead this summer.
According to Get French Football News, Arsenal’s attempt to include hothead Guendouzi as part of the switch failed to interest Atletico.
The 27-year-old Partey remains one of the club’s key targets this summer, but the Emirates outfit appear unwilling to meet his hefty valuation.
Their efforts to offload an unwanted star in Guendouzi, who has been frozen out of the first-team picture since the defeat to Brighton last month, fell short with Atletico steadfast in their desire to keep their prized assets.
Mikel Arteta is believed to be desperate to overhaul and improve his squad now the transfer window has re-opened, but will be required to sell players first in order to generate funds.
Partey is understood to be keen to join Arsenal next season, with the Gunners’ head coach having marked him down as an important addition.
Francis Cagigao, the club’s head of international recruitment, has been working on the deal and was the first figure to initially suggest a move for Partey. Technical director Edu has also given the green light.
But the north London club are keen to use those on the fringes to help push through deals and Guendouzi is said to be coveted by several teams.
Despite Arsenal’s attempts to ship him out to Spain, Guendouzi’s preference remains a move to Barcelona. The 21-year-old is reportedly confident he would be fielded as a rotation option at the Nou Camp.
The same outlet indicate that Guendouzi’s representatives are in contact with the Catalan giants over a potential swoop, with recent reports suggesting a swap deal including Philippe Coutinho may interest both parties.
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