Arsenal transfer target Thomas Partey holding talks, reveals dad who urges son to make switch from Atletico Madrid
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ARSENAL are holding talks with £50million-rated Thomas Partey over a move, the player's dad has confirmed.
The Gunners are looking to go all out to land the 26-year-old Atletico Madrid defensive midfielder.
Mikel Arteta is even willing to sanction the exit of striker Alexandre Lacazette as a way for the LaLiga side to agree to a sale.
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And it appears that the player's dad, Jacob, will be delighted if his boy gets a dream move to the Premier League.
report that Partey Sr told a radio station recently talks between his son and Arsenal were ongoing - but that Atleti are determined to hold onto him.
He said: "I called my son after hearing the rumours and he told me that the rumours are true.
"He told me they are holding talks between him and Arsenal. It all depends on the offer Atletico are demanding.
"If he goes to Arsenal fine, they have a lot supporters in Ghana.
"I will be happy if he decides to move to Arsenal. What they are discussing now is how Atletico will release him."
Ghanaian Partey has become a key figure at Atletico and impressed in their Champions League success over Liverpool.
He still has three years remaining on his contract with the club poised to tie him down to a new package.
Having emerged through their youth ranks, the LaLiga giants are looking to reward him rise with a pay rise.
And they hope that can help secure his services until 2025 - with a much larger release clause figure inserted into his deal.
It means Arsenal - who have limited funds to give Arteta - will have to get creative if they want to sign him.
And they could be willing to sacrifice 28-year-old striker Lacazette in a part-exchange deal.
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Atletico are looking to bring in a striker - having failed to sign Edinson Cavani in the winter window - with Lacazette a target.
The France international struggled to hold down a regular starting spot in the side following Arteta’s arrival in late December, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang the preferred choice up front.
And the emergence of starlet Eddie Nketiah, 20, has increased competition for places, leaving Lacazette expendable.