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Arsenal ‘will have to pay Thomas Partey’s £45m release clause to land star’ as Willian free transfer until 2023 nears
ARSENAL will have to pay Thomas Partey's full £45million release clause if they want to land their long-time target.
Mikel Arteta has been desperately hunting for some steel in midfield this summer.
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Earlier this year, he identified Atletico Madrid star Partey as his No1 target after another sensational season in Spain.
But the Gunners boss has been dealt a blow after the LaLiga giants insisted his release clause be activated, according to reports.
European transfer guru Fabrizio Romano revealed: "[Regarding] Thomas: Atletico told again... release clause (€50M) or he'll stay."
Partey is under contract at the Wanda Metropolitano until the end of the 2022-23 season.
With three seasons still to run on his Atleti deal, the club are in no hurry to sell him cheaply.
Now Arsenal must pay £45m or miss out on him.
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However, there is some good news at the Emirates, after Willian reportedly agreed to a three-year contract worth £100,000 a week at Arsenal.
The Brazilian winger, 31, rejected Chelsea's latest two-year contract extension offer - demanding three years or no deal.
The Blues have a long-standing policy of not offering players aged 30 or over any more than one-year extensions.
The club believed they had compromised enough and played hardball with the ex-Shakhtar Donetsk star.
But Arsenal have taken advantage of the West London stand-off by handing Willian a three-year contract worth £100,000 per week, say .
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Romano confirmed the deal was on the brink of going through, too - with Arteta fully on board.
His tweet continued: "Willian approved also by Arteta.
"Just a matter of time and he'll until 2023 - confirmed."
Willian transfer to Arsenal appears to be confirmed in leaked PES21 clip showing Chelsea star in Gunners kit
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