
The Ghana international has long been the north London club’s priority capture this summer, but talks with Atletico Madrid have so far proved unsuccessful.
Madrid do not want to lose Partey and still hope to convince him to sign a new contract. His current deal runs until 2023 and there had been talks over extending his stay.
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Arsenal remain extremely interested in Partey, however, and sources have confirmed to Ghanabet that the player is keen on a move to north London, providing a deal can be agreed between the two clubs.
As it stands, Arsenal have made it clear they are not in a position to do that, with the club having been focusing their attention on completing the signing of center-back Gabriel from Lille, who will be joining in a £25m ($33m) deal.
Arteta is well aware of the need to improve his options in midfield and will soon be boosted by the return of Dani Ceballos from Real Madrid, who is close to joining on loan for a second successive season.
Former head of international recruitment Francis Cagigao and his scouting network have watched the player closely over the past 18 months and, prior to their shock departure last month, had advised the north London club to pursue a move.
Those hopes will be boosted significantly if they can move players on over the next few weeks to raise some extra funds and free up space on the wage bill. Henrikh Mkhitaryan left for Roma on Monday, with the Armenia international having his contract terminated a year early.
Although that meant Arsenal did not receive a fee for the 31-year-old, it got him off the wage bill – saving the Gunners around £9m ($12m) over the course of the coming season.
Mohamed Elneny is another player who would be allowed to leave, along with Sokratis, Shkodran Mustafi, Sead Kolasinac, Calum Chambers, and Mesut Ozil.
Talks over the future of Alexandre Lacazette, who returned to London Colney on Monday, are also expected to take place over the next fortnight, with Atletico Madrid keen on the French striker, who now has less than two years left on his current contract.
There is an acceptance, however, that funds must be raised to add further additions to the captures of William and Gabriel and the imminent arrival of Ceballos on loan.
Signing Partey remains a priority. What happens in terms of outgoings over the next few weeks will be key to determining whether that interest can be followed up by the north London club.