Arsenal Sign Atletico Madrid Midfielder Thomas Partey as the Transfer Window Closes
Arsenal have officially signed Thomas Partey from Atlético Madrid, per multiple reports. The Gunners triggered his £52.5M release clause sometime on Monday afternoon, he completed a medical in Spain, and then flew to London to finalize the deal (David Ornstein reports that there was no stop in London). The 27-year old signed a 4-year deal with an option for a 5th that will pay £260K per week, which is a substantial raise on his current wages.
We’ll still likely get an official announcement from the club once they’ve finalized the deal and set up something fancy, but Arsenal have done it — an unexpected Deadline Day swoop for the player said to be the club’s main target from the get-go. You love to see it.
Today is a good day. Arsenal needed midfield reinforcement, and they got it. Overall, I’d say it was a good transfer window, especially given the weird timeline and the mid-stream departure of Raul Sanllehi. The Gunners netted a nice price for Emi Martinez, re-loaned-in Dani Ceballos, bought what appears to be a budding star in Gabriel Magalhaes, signed Willian on a free, and now have gotten their top target in Thomas Partey. They also accomplished some other loan business, none of which I take issue with.
They’ll be plenty of time to pick apart the deal, Partey’s strengths and weaknesses, how he fits into Mikel Arteta’s tactical setup, and all that good stuff. We’ll have it for you in the coming days and over the international break.
If you don’t like the move, fair play — that’s your prerogative. But I’m excited. I think Thomas Partey immediately improves the Arsenal side. He is a very good ball-progressor and gives Mikel Arteta the tactical flexibility to play a back four. That, in turn, lets him get another midfielder / attacking threat on the pitch, which could help solve some of Arsenal’s shot-creation problems.
On a related note, don’t forget to be happy about Arsenal. At some level, we all support the club and follow football because it makes us happy. A big, new signing is something to be happy about. Let’s enjoy it.