TON OF A GUN
Partey time for Arteta as Gunners tie up Thomas
ARSENAL brokered a staggering £110million deal for Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey.
They pulled off the dramatic transfer coup on deadline day by triggering Partey’s £52.5m clause written into his contract held by the Spanish football authorities.
They are also paying Partey £260,000 a week in a four-year contract with an option, £2.5m signing-on fee and 10 per cent agent commission in a staggering package.
Arsenal had been trying to negotiate with Atletico all summer but knew they always had the fall-back option of triggering the buy-out clause which are standard in player contracts in Spain. That is a relatively s imp l e process but the b iggest issue was whether they had enough time to get the deal over the line. Club lawyers have to present the cheque to pay the full transfer fee in one full amount whereas many deals a re paid in instalments. They also have to show personal terms have been agreed by acknowledgment with the player and his agent. Then they have to have email confirmation from La Liga in time to meet the transfer deadline - 11pm in the UK – to complete on an international transfer.
It was a huge operation and came in the face of Arsenal making huge cuts at the club, including 55 redundancies in staff but they have spent big this summer on deals for Willian, Brazilian defender Gabriel and now Partey.
But owner Stan Kroenke has underwritten the club’s transfer business and also losses because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Kroenke again appears to have backed the club’s transfer business on Partey.
It is understood Gunners boss Mikel Arteta sees Partey as a crucial final piece of his jigsaw as a strong No.6 midfield anchorman to give his team and defence stability.
Arsenal looked at him four years ago and could have signed him for a fraction of the cost now but they passed up de s p i t e strong recommendations.
Ghana star Partey is regarded as a strong presence in midfield, Arteta likes his range of passing and also his ability to break up play in front of the defence.
Partey is understood to have been desperate to come to Arsenal and has as pushed for the deal – much uch to the frustration of Atletico etico who were adamant he would not be leaving.
But Arsenal officials icials then managed to trigger ger the clause, talks were held in Spain where he also so underwent the first part of his medical al and he is expected to fly y off on international duty ty after completing the switch. witch.
Partey has the option to come to London don to see his new surroundings roundreak before the break to get it totally signed d off.