Arsenal one step away from signing La Liga midfielder

Arsenal are understood to be 'one step away' from landing the signature of Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid.

The Ghana international was on the Gunners' radar last summer but the club's hierarchy were unable to afford his services after the big-money signing of Nicolas Pepe.

According to Corriere dello Sport, the north London outfit have revived their interest in the 26-year-old, who has spent his entire career in the Spanish La Liga.

The same publication cites that the Gunners are willing to trigger the player's £44m release clause when the transfer window reopens during the summer.

Partey and Saul Niguez have been linked with possible exits from the Wanda Metropolitano but Atletico are keen to avoid losing both players at the same period of time.

Their priority appears on keeping hold of Niguez by handing him a fresh long-term deal. Niguez has a staggerring £135m release clause in his contract but a third-party in Quality Football owns 40 percent of his rights.