Arsenal trigger release clause of Thomas Partey

Arsenal have reportedly triggered the release clause in the contract of Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey. The Ghana international has undergone the first part of his medical in Spain and he has now travelled to London to complete the remaining formalities for the transfer.

The north London giants were initially fancied to sign the 27-year-old at the end of the previous season, but a deal did not materialise due to their reluctance to activate the £45m buy-out clause on his contract.

Earlier last month, they had attempted to offer Matteo Guendouzi as a makeweight to reduce the price tag, but Atleti made it clear that they won't sanction his sale for anything less than his release clause.

Ahead of tonight's international transfer deadline, the Gunners have eventually decided to trigger the clause and Partey is expected to be presented by the club in the coming hours, provided there are no complications in the second part of the medical at London Colney.

Partey is set to become the Gunners' fourth major signing of the summer after the arrivals of Willian, Gabriel Magalhaes and Dani Ceballos. Ceballos rejoined them on a second season on loan from Real Madrid.

Arsenal are expected to offload a number of players before the transfer deadline. Matteo Guendouzi has already joined Hertha Berlin on loan while Lucas Torreira will move to Atleti in a similar deal.

Meanwhile, Sokratis and Sead Kolasinac could be heading for permanent exits. Kolasinac has been tipped to join Bayer Leverkusen, but it is unknown whether the deal sheet was submitted before the 6pm German transfer deadline.