THOMAS PARTEY has been urged by his Ghana team-mate to switch to Arsenal to “prove himself” in another league.
The Atletico Madrid ace has long been linked with a move to North London and international pal Joseph Larweh Attamah reckons he has reached his full potential at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Attamah told Ghanaian outlet Citi TV: “I would be happy if he goes to Arsenal. He’s done everything at Atletico, and is recognised as one of the world’s best midfielders.
“He has to go to another league to prove himself. He needs people to know he is capable of succeeding outside of Spain.”
The Gunners are said to be the club “most interested” in signing Partey and reports in Spain suggested that before the coronavirus crisis, the North Londoners were ready to stump up the cash for the 26-year-old’s release clause.
The clause stands at around £43.5million for Partey, who has bagged 15 goals and 12 assists in 174 games for Atleti.
Given the financial implications of the virus and impact on the market, limited funds are likely to prove a stumbling block for the cash-strapped Gunners.
However, the Emirates camp are reportedly willing to turf out a number of big names – including Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Mesut Ozil – to make room for new arrivals like Partey.
For now it seems that transfer talks have been put on standby as both the UK and Spain slowly emerge from states of lockdown.
The Ghana star is said to be channelling his focus on the upcoming finish to the La Liga season with Diego Simeone‘s side.
The Spanish government announced that top-flight football was to resume on June 8 for the first time since it was suspended in March, with the first match on June 11.
Comments from the Ghanaian international’s father have caused a stir in recent weeks.
Partey’s dad Jacob told a radio station that talks were unfolding between his son and the Gunners but the player’s representatives hit back saying it was “totally untrue”.
The La Liga star has also been linked with Liverpool – with Atleti supposedly keen on a swap deal with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – and French champions Paris Saint-Germain but the Emirates remains his most likely destination.
