Arsenal has pulled off yet another stunning last-minute transfer, this time in the form of central midfielder Thomas Partey.
The Ghanian midfielder joins the gunners from Atletico Madrid on a four year deal with an option for a fifth, which was made possible when the Gunners decided to pull the trigger and pay the €45million release clause.
Arsenal has been linked with Thomas Partey for the entire transfer window and was waiting to pay the release clause after acquiring other targets. Failed pursuits of Lyon’s Houssem Aouar and Chelsea’s Jorghino resulted in the gunner’s imminent triggering of the release clause which was done just in time before the European transfer window was declared to be shut.
Thomas Partey is considered to be an engine in the midfield department and is highly regarded as a complete box-box midfielder which is exactly what Mikel Arteta craves for. He can shoot, pass, intercept and run through players with intent which adds the needed dynamism to the Arsenal squad.
Welcome to the Partey! 🥳
👋 @Thomaspartey22#NoThomasNoPartey pic.twitter.com/009Er2kZBK
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 5, 2020
Mikel Arteta seemed very pleased with this new addition to the squad. When he was asked about new recruit, he said.
“We have been watching Thomas for a while, so we’re now delighted to add such a high-quality player to our squad. He is a dynamic midfielder with great energy. He brings a lot of experience from a top club that has competed at the highest level in La Liga and the Champions League for several years. We’re very impressed with his attitude and his approach to the game. He’s an intelligent footballer and we’re looking forward to him integrating into our system and contributing to the progress we’re building at the moment at the club.”
Thomas Partey was handed the number 18 shirt, as his preferred number 5 shirt was already taken by Greek defender Sokratis, who had got an opportunity to leave the club on loan when PSG reportedly came knocking but was rejected by the Gunners.
Arsenal has failed to offload their surplus defenders this window, which could affect the club financially this year. Sead Kolasinac’s move to Bayer Leverkusen collapsed as it did not happen in time due to a stumbling block in terms of wages. There was no solid interest in other defenders such as Shkodran Mustafi, Calum Chambers, and Sokratis, which resulted in them staying in the club at least till the January window.
In terms of confirmed departures, Matteo Guendouzi has joined German club Hertha Berlin on a simple season-long loan, without any option or obligation to buy with a reported loan fee of €4million.
🗣️ "I’m buzzing to start life in Berlin as a Hertha player." 🤩#DeadlineDay #HaHoHe @MatteoGuendouzi pic.twitter.com/ZgWjqfFwyE
— Hertha Berlin (@HerthaBSC_EN) October 5, 2020
Lucas Torreira has joined Atletico Madrid also on a season-long loan deal but with an option to buy for €22 million. It will be surely interesting to Atletico’s approach in this deal, considering the relationship between the clubs after the sudden move of Thomas Partey.
🔴⚪ #BienvenidoTorreira 🇺🇾
Agreement with @Arsenal over the loan of @LTorreira34 until the end of the season.
🏧 #AúpaAtleti pic.twitter.com/JFZJg2cqMN
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) October 5, 2020
On a side note, Arsenal’s star mascot Gunnersauras was made redundant by the club on a temporary basis which shook the fanbase. The mascot was a part of the club for 27 years and was reportedly on a salary of €80,000 a week being the highest-paid mascot. These are tough times for Arsenal from a financial point of view, but business was done to make sure the gunners remain competitive in the league.
That’s it about the summer transfer window which ends all the speculation talk. To more football discussions!
COYG
