Arsenal want to pay the release clause of Thomas Partey in the summer, and they’ve already made contact with his representatives, according to reports.

Libertad Digital claim Arsenal are trying to convince Thomas Partey not to renew his contract with Atletico Madrid. They’re willing to pay his release clause this summer, and they already made contact with the player’s representatives to propose the option.

Unless Partey renews, that clause is €50m this summer. Atletico are in negotiations with him over a new deal though, intending to increase the clause.

As for Partey, he suggested recently that his loyalty is still with his current club.

“Atlético is like my home, the place where I want to always be, it’s like my family. I hope to stay at the club, I would like to retire here, but you never know what can happen. I want to stay here until the club doesn’t love me,” the player said.

Meanwhile, Kike Marin is presenting a slightly different version of events to Libertad Digital’s.

He writes that Arsenal have been interested in Partey in the past, but they aren’t willing to pay €50m. The most likely scenario is that the player renews his contract, but if he doesn’t, Atletico will negotiate his exit.

David Ornstein recently claimed Partey was desperate for a move to Arsenal last summer. Unai Emery was also keen on the player. Unfortunately, Arsenal used the bulk of their budget for their pursuit of a wide player. In the end, they couldn’t afford Partey.