Thomas Partey: Arsenal move would be 'surprising' says Balague
Arsenal reportedly told Atletico Madrid that they will not pay Thomas Partey's release clause after seeing a swap deal offer rejected as they continue to try and negotiate for the player. Atletico have been quite clear that they will not sell the Ghanaian for less than his release clause.
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"I know so well the board at Atletico Madrid, they also did this in the past when many clubs asked them for other players if they had a top player and Thomas is a top player.
"You have to pay what we want and that is the release clause. So you have to pay €50million or you don't get the player.
"I am told that two or three weeks ago Arsenal told the Atletico Madrid board they are not going to pay the release clause.
"At the moment there is indication they will pay the release clause and they want to negotiate.
Thomas Partey has been the subject of a swap deal offer from Arsenal (Image: GETTY)
"They offered [Matteo] Guendouzi in the deal and Atletico said no.
"So at the moment there is no agreement but there is an opportunity to sign the player because Thomas wants to go to Premier League."
Arsenal look set to offload Guendouzi and there has been talk he could join Lyon as part of a swap deal for Houssem Aouar.
The player is yet to feature for the Gunners in pre-season, despite Mikel Arteta claiming he would be handed another chance in the first team after being asked to train alone.
Guendouzi was involved in a spat with Brighton's Neal Maupay last season, an incident that Arteta did not stand for.
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