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.

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.

ARSENAL NEWS LIVE: Click here for the latest Gunners news

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 .

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."