It’s well documented that Arsenal have been looking at Thomas Partey for almost the entirety of the transfer window. It’s a saga which started months ago with the North London club being long term admirers of the Ghanian and that interest is set to continue.
But despite their interest Atletico have remained firm. According to Fabrizio Romano, the spanish club is interested in Lucas Torreira with the Uruguayan ‘eager’ to join the Spanish club.
The agent of Lucas Torreira is now in Madrid to meet with Atlético. Negotiations on between Atléti and Arsenal to complete the agreement. #AFC are still asking for a permanent deal – Atléti are gonna make a new bid. Talks on. ⚪️🔴 #Arsenal #Atleti @MatteMoretto
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 29, 2020
So far, neither club has blinked.
Atletico Madrid continue to remain firm in their demands: Pay the Release Clause or Partey Stays. Arsenal have so far been unwilling to bend to those demands, perhaps hoping to use Atletico’s interest in Torreira as leverage.
CrossBar can reveal that, although discussions did take place between the two clubs Nothing was agreed as Atletico still insist on the release clause rejecting any notions of a swap deal with Arsenal with Lucas Torreira going the other way.
To summarize, the situation is as follows:
- Atletico Madrid want Lucas Torreira
- Arsenal want Thomas Partey
- Both are being discussed as separate deals
- Atletico want Release Clause paid
- Arsenal want the permanent transfer of Torreira, no loans
In this poker game, one of the two will have to blink and with the transfer window fast approaching its end, It’ll be interesting to see who does as Arsenal still feel they can strike a deal for Thomas Partey
Time will tell.