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Arsenal make new Thomas Partey decision as part of second Houssem Aouar transfer bid
Arsenal are looking to bring in one midfielder before the transfer deadline on October 5.
Arsenal 'must sell players to sign Aouar or Partey' says pundit
Arsenal have decided to accept defeat in their pursuit of Thomas Partey, according to reports. The Gunners are now fully focussed on completing the capture of Houssem Aouar with Lyon set to feel the pressure from the Arsenal board in the next week.
Partey was the club's top target heading into the window and there was optimism that a deal was possible.
Earlier this summer, Arsenal held talks with Atletico Madrid in a bid to strike a deal with the Spanish club.
They proposed two player-plus-cash offers for the Ghanaian involving Matteo Guendouzi but Diego Simeone was not interested in acquiring the Frenchman.
Atletico have repeatedly told Arsenal that they will have to pay Partey's £45million release clause in full to complete a deal.
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According to the Daily Star, that has now put the Gunners off and they have decided to go all out for Aouar.
While Arsenal may have to pay a similar fee to sign the 22-year-old, it's seen as a better investment for a player who is five years younger than Partey.
Partey was on the bench for Atletico at the weekend for their 6-1 win over Granada.
Simeone has kept him on the bench in recent months amid doubts over his future and the 27-year-old is yet to accept the contract extension on the table.
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Meanwhile, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has acknowledged an opening offer of £32m from Arsenal for Aouar.
Arsenal are set to up their bid for the France international, who confirmed the two clubs are in talks over a deal following Lyon's 1-1 draw with Lorient.
"I will give you an interview after the match but I will not talk about my future," he told Canal+.
He then added: "There are contact with clubs, I don’t know yet. We’ll see what happens in the future."
Mikel Arteta may have to raise further funds first before making an improved offer and he is struggling to move on the likes of Guendouzi, Lucas Torreira, Sead Kolasinac, Sokratis and Shkodran Mustafi.
Torreira has held talks with Atletico but they want to keep the deal separate to the future of Partey.
Torino had been keen on a loan with an option to buy but they have now been priced out of a move.
Lyon want at least £45m for Aoaur and are determined not to accept a lowball offer for the player.