Qualifying for next season’s UEFA Champions League is reportedly necessary for Arsenal to prise Thomas Partey away from Atletico Madrid
According to a report by Daily Express, Arsenal’s bid to sign Thomas Partey in the summer transfer window hinges on achieving Champions League qualification. The Ghanaian midfielder has a €50 million release clause in his contract with Spanish heavyweights Atletico Madrid.
Thomas Partey joined Atletico Madrid in 2012 and has since made gradual progress in the Spanish capital to now be rated as one of the best midfielders in the world. Since breaking into the first-team setup at the club, the player has accumulated over 150 appearances and is now one of the first names on the team sheet for Diego Simeone.
The player’s growth over the last few years has not gone unnoticed, with some of the biggest clubs in the world monitoring him. Among those, Arsenal have been linked the most heavily with the Ghanaian midfielder over a possible move in the summer transfer window.
Arsenal currently have four senior midfielders in Granit Xhaka, Dani Ceballos, Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi, with Joe Willock being integrated in the squad this season. However, Ceballos is unlikely to be signed on a permanent deal by the Gunners, while there have been rumours of an impending summer exit for Torreira.
In such a scenario, Arsenal do need to make at least one midfield reinforcement, thereby making Thomas Partey a viable target. Having said that, it was recently reported that his €50 million buy-out clause was driving the north Londoners away from a deal.
However, if Daily Express are to be believed, Arsenal still retain an interest in Partey, with the aforementioned €50 million release clause not being a hindrance. Arsenal, though, will need to qualify for the UEFA Champions League in order to secure the services of the Atletico Madrid star.
As things stand, the Premier League heavyweights do not even make it to the Europa League. If the season is brought to a premature end due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, it is highly likely that Arsenal will not play in the Champions League next season.
The season, therefore, needs to resume for Arsenal to reach the Champions League and thus, sign Thomas Partey. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid reportedly want to double Partey’s release clause, with fears of losing him for €50 million rising. What now remains to be seen is if Arsenal are able to land the 26-year-old this summer.
