Arsenal legend, Martin Keown, has stoked the fire on the club’s transfer link with Atletico Madrid’ Thomas Partey.
Partey has reportedly been on the books of the 13 time FA Cup champions for the past year.
Mikel Arteta’s side are said to be keen on triggering the Ghana international’s €50 million release clause, after Partey reportedly turned down a contract extension from Atletico.
According to Keown, the club is in desperate need of a physical presence in the middle of the park, something, in his opinion, they have lacked for over a decade.
“Defensively we know there are a lot of problems. And the middle of the park, I don’t think we’ve really had a top midfield player so to speak, that can control things for us,” he told BT Sports.
“Since the Vieira days, Gilberto Silva days. So let’s try and get a top midfield player into that position. I’m assuming that is what the club is working towards doing.”
Partey has received a lot of praise for his performances for Atletico Madrid this season, and is rated as one of the best midfielders in the Spanish La Liga.