Thomas decides to snub Arsenal and renew with Atlético
The Ghanaian midfielder thought hard about moving to the Premier League but has decided to stay where he is. Atleti will double his salary and buy-out clause.
Thomas Partey is close to signing a new contract with Atlético Madrid. The 27-year-old Ghanaian midfielder thought long and hard about offers to play in the Premier League, with Arsenal particularly keen to take him to England but it seems he has decided to stay where he is. Atleti have offered to double his salary and his buy-out clause which will rise to 100 million euros, Ghana Soccernet, report, adding that the player is ready to sign his new contract.
Thomas' current market price, 50 million euros, made him an attractive option for several Premier League clubs - not just Arsenal. In recent months, the player has been reticent to clarify his position regarding his future and his own father declared that he was more valued in England than Spain. But Atleti have always had Thomas in their plans and put an offer on the table late last year but since then, the matter of a new contract has not been dealt with.
Third most-used player, 16th in the wages pecking order
Thomas is in the best moment of his career - he is the third most-used player by Simeone, after Jan Oblak and Saúl, and his solid displays this season have not been missed by some of Europe's big clubs. However, he is way down the list in playing staff wages (he is 16th). If he doesn't have a change of heart and renews, he will move up the pay scale to become one of the key figures in Atleti's Champions League campaign - something which Arsenal cannot offer him at present.
Thomas has made 183 appearances for the rojiblancos - 87 of them during the last two seasons which underlines how he has progressed and also how important he is to the team - practically at the same level as Koke and Saúl, all three of them came up through the youth teams. His current contract expires in 2023 but now there is new optimism that Thomas won't be leaving this summer.