ARSENAL will reportedly have to stump up over £200,000-a-week in wages to land Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid.
The Athletic’s David Ornstein revealed on his Ask Ornstein podcast that he thinks the Gunners will have to pay a handsome salary to the Ghanaian midfielder, if he arrives at the Emirates.
Mikel Arteta’s side will have to meet Atleti’s £45million release clause to broker a deal.
The FA Cup winners have made Partey their No1 midfield target as they look to add depth to their options in the middle of the park.
With Matteo Guendouzi jettisoned from the squad and likely to head for the exit, Arteta needs another central midfielder.
On loan star Dani Ceballos is also yet to sort out his future but as it stands will head back to Real Madrid for next season.
The Gunners are looking for some steel in midfield and are impressed with what they have seen from Partey in La Liga.
The 27-year-old has been on Arsenal’s radar for a number of years and is believed to be keen to come to the Premier League.
Partey made 35 appearances last season for Diego Simeone’s side, bagging three goals and helping Atleti finish third behind Real Madrid and Barcelona.
His deal runs until 2022/23 and Atleti have made it clear they are not in any great need to sell one of their prized assets.
The Spanish club have reportedly batted away talk of potential swap deals from Arsenal, involving Guendouzi and Alexandre Lacazette, according to Ornstein.
They will not accept anything lower than the release clause and will allow Partey to make up his own mind about his future if and when the required offer is submitted.
The Gunners will have to a take a considerable financial hit to get a deal done with Spanish regulations meaning they have to pay the fee straight away in the form of a lump sum.
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