Transfer news: Arsenal pays Partey release clause

Thomas Partey to Arsenal has dragged on and on and on, but on transfer deadline day it appears there has been a breakthrough.

Get ready for a Partey party at Arsenal…

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Atletico Madrid announced that Arsenal representatives paid Partey’s $58.8 million release clause.

A club must contact La Liga direct to pay the release clause and the money is then sent to the player’s soon-to-be former club, in this case, Atletico Madrid.

UPDATE: Sky in Italy now claim that Partey is on a plane to London and there is a race against time to seal the deal.

Per our partners in the UK at Sky Sports: “Arsenal are hoping to free up wages and space in the squad by releasing players. Lucas Torreira is in Madrid finalising a loan move to Atletico, while Matteo Guendouzi is close to a loan move to Hertha Berlin.”

Guendouzi has sealed his move to Hertha and Torreira is close to sealing his move to Atletico as everything is aligning for Arsenal to make a sensational late swoop.

You can watch our special transfer deadline day show on Oct. 5 from 4-7 p.m. ET on NBCSN as our analysts break down all of the late deals and drama.

What would Partey bring to Arsenal?

Thomas Partey to Arsenal is pretty much a perfect signing for the Gunners and it is the one signing they really wanted to make this summer.

They’ve already brought in Gabriel at center back and Ceballos is back in midfield on loan as Mikel Arteta knows his attacking options are plentiful but he needs to be more solid.

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Partey, 27, is a superb defensive midfielder who will further solidify the defensive unit which Arteta has worked so hard to strengthen since he took charge last December.

With Dani Ceballos, Granit Xhaka, Mohamed Elneny and now Partey in midfield, with Torreira and Guendouzi out on loan, the Gunners have some serious depth in midfield and Partey will be key in their 3-4-3 formation.

Transfer news: Arsenal pays Partey release clause originally appeared on NBCSports.com