Arsenal leading way for Manchester United target

Arsenal are prepared to pay the £42m release clause for Manchester United target and Atletico Madrid star Thomas Partey, reports Spanish publication Libertad Digital. 

United have previously been heavily linked with a move for the 26-year-old and, were he to become available, would likely firm up their interest in Partey. 

However, they now find themselves behind Premier League rivals Arsenal in the race to sign the Ghana international, with the Gunners willing to pay his release clause in their pursuit of a holding midfielder. 

Partey has been a key player for Atletico this season and the LaLiga powerhouse would be reluctant to lose a player of his calibre this summer. 

Partey is contracted to the Wanda Metropolitano until 2023 with his representatives locked in negotiations with Atletico about a new deal. 

Arsenal will now try and steal a march on Atletico and any other suitors for Partey at the end of the season as Mikel Arteta eyes a squad overhaul. 

Arteta is working hard to end a disappointing campaign on a high with the north London side currently 10th in the table, while they crashed out of the Europa League at the hands of Olympiacos on Thursday night. 

Partey has started all seven of Atletico's Champions League matches this season, yielding a WhoScored rating of 7.50 in the process.