Arsenal identify Thomas Partey as top transfer target

Arsenal are set to swoop for Atletico Madrid star Thomas Partey after the midfielder impressed in his side's midweek Champions League win over Liverpool .

Partey is thought to be at the top of Gunners boss Mikel Arteta's summer wishlist after catching the eye in Atleti's stunning 3-2 last 16 second leg victory at Anfield on Wednesday night.

The 26-year-old would be available for £45m in the summer due to his release clause and such a price will no doubt tempt Arteta into making an approach for the midfielder.

It is likely there will be a number of new arrivals at the Emirates in the summer as Arteta prepares for a busy summer, ahead of his first full campaign in charge of the North London side.

In fact, Arteta may have started negotiations early in acquiring Partey's services after a source at Atletico told the Daily Telegraph there had been "interest from an English club."

Arteta sees the defensive midfield berth as a position which needs addressing at the club and Partey was a stand out performer in both legs of his side's last 16 encounter with Liverpool.

For large parts of the tie, the La Liga outfit frustrated Jurgen Klopp's men and Partey was key to snuffing out the threat from the Premier League leaders.

After replacing Unai Emery in the Arsenal dugout in December, Arteta reinstated former captain Granit Xhaka to the side but the Spaniard will still want to bolster his midfield options.

Partey would bring a steeliness to Arsenal's engine room which has been absent in recent seasons but the Gunners won't be the only team sizing up a move for the Ghana international.

And Arteta may lose out on landing Atletico's midfield enforcer due to the likelihood of Arsenal failing to seal a Champions League spot for next season.