LaLiga confirm Arsenal have met £45m Thomas Partey transfer release clause.. but did NOT tell Atletico Madrid about it

ARSENAL have met Thomas Partey’s £45million release clause – but reportedly did not tell Atletico Madrid of the bid.

The LaLiga side will be powerless to stop their man heading to North London if the £45million fee is met.

All the Gunners had to do was deposit the funds with the Spanish football authorities, at which point personal terms and a medical can be finalised.

However, the club are still racing against time to complete the final details of the move.

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Neither the Gunners nor player communicated the move to Atletico – leaving that honour to LaLiga bosses.

Partey’s relationship with Los Rojiblancos has been subject to much speculation after he reportedly rejected a new contract earlier in the summer.

As far as Arsenal are concerned, negotiations with Atleti were not necessary when they decided to activate the midfielder’s release clause.

Partey is said to have undergone the first part of his medical in Spain before flying to London on Monday evening.

A five-year contract is in the works, according to Italian journalist .

The deal, which will be the club’s seventh major signing of the autumn, appeared unlikely going into transfer deadline day.

Houssem Aouar of Lyon was a key target although, after negotiations stalled, he committed to his current club.

Also on deadline day, the Gunners gave the green light to Matteo Guendouzi’s exit.

The French midfielder agreed to join Hertha Berlin on loan while Sead Kolasniac’s move to Bayer Leverkusen has reportedly collapsed.