Atletico Madrid have turned down Arsenal’s £22.8million bid plus Matteo Guendouzi for Thomas Partey.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is keen on signing Thomas Partey, as he wants more solidity at the base of his midfield.
Guendouzi hasn’t played any match for Arsenal since being dropped from Arteta’s squad after a 2-1 defeat to Brighton in June.
The Frenchman escaped a ban after grabbing Neal Maupay’s throat after the full-time whistle and reports claimed the 21-year-old mocked Brighton players by saying he earned more than ‘they ever will’.
Arteta has already decided to offload Guendouzi and the Gunners submitted a bid of £22.8m for Partey in a move that would have seen the player move to the La Liga giants.
However, Atletico Madrid rejected the offer and are not interested in Guendouzi, Get French Football claim.
Partey has a £45m release clause in his current contract in Madrid and they do not want to sell the Ghanaian midfielder, meaning the gunners would have to activate the clause to sign him.
- Chelsea finally make breakthrough over new Willian deal
- Roy Keane reveals why Frank Lampard has done a ‘better job’ than Solskjaer
However, Arsenal are unwilling to meet Partey’s release clause as their finances will not allow them to fund the deal given after they finished eighth in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Guendouzi is not interested in a move to Atletico as he believes that he can break into Barcelona’s starting lineup.
Barcelona are interested in Guendouzi and reports claimed a swap deal involving Philippe Coutinho had been discussed between both sides.
