The big transfer deadline day deal was completed by Arsenal.
As the clock ticked past 11pm on transfer deadline day it was the Gunners who would complete the business with the biggest deal of the day.
Following months of speculation, Thomas Partey finally became an Arsenal player.
Manager Mikel Arteta had been keen to bolster his midfield options for the entirety of the transfer window and Partey was high on his list of priorities.
For a time it looked as if Arsenal had moved onto a different target, with Lyon’s Houssem Aouar heavily linked with a move.
![[FILE] Liverpool’s Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah (L) runs with the ball as Arsenal’s Brazilian defender Gabriel closes in during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London. (Photo by Catherine Ivill / POOL / AFP)](https://www.afriupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/000_97B779-scaled-e1703231851386-120x86.jpg "Liverpool host Arsenal in battle for Premier League Christmas No. 1 2")
But they could not tie up a deal for him and returned for Partey on transfer deadline day.
The issue, earlier in the window, had seemingly been a need to ship players out before signing Partey, but with Lucas Torreira going in the other direction, on loan, Arsenal managed to pay the £45million release clause that Atletico Madrid had stood firm on and got their man once and for all.
Deadline day came at the start of a two-week international break, with no sign of an interview or photos of the Ghanaian in the Arsenal kit.
Arteta was delighted to get the deal done, saying: “We have been watching Thomas for a while, so we’re now delighted to add such a high quality player to our squad. He is a dynamic midfielder with great energy. He brings a lot of experience from a top club that has competed at the highest level in La Liga and the Champions League for several years.”
And Partey himself has finally broken his silence on the transfer, albeit in a short and sweet manner.
Partey did post an Instagram Story on Monday night, with some face emojis with hearts and fire emojis at the transfer deal being announced.
And he has followed it up on Tuesday night by saying: “Thank you Gunners for this warm welcome.”
We’ll await more when he returns from international duty with Ghana.
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