Arsenal has been dealt a huge blow in their bid to land Thomas Partey this summer after Ghana coach, CK Akonnor encouraged his compatriot to remain with the Spaniards.
Partey is Arsenal’s top transfer target this summer as Mikel Arteta attempts to get his team in shape to challenge for a return to Champions League football next season.
He has been in fantastic form for Atletico Madrid over the past two seasons, and the Spaniards are keen to keep hold of him.
After his heroics as Atleti eliminated Liverpool from the Champions League this season, more teams have begun eyeing a move for him.
Arsenal, however, remains the team with the strongest interest in the midfielder and the Gunners have had an initial approach for him knocked back by the Spaniards.
Akonnor, however, reckons that the midfielder will be better off staying with the Spaniards because they play in the Champions League and he is already an established starter there.
“Honestly, I wouldn’t want him to move to Arsenal because with Atletico, he will always play Champions League football. His position is guaranteed and he will always play,” Akonnor told Starr FM as reported by Goal.
“With Arsenal, I’m not too sure. Arsenal fans will kill me [for saying he should not join the Gunners].
“I hope that, and I’m sure money issues will come in, but I hope that whatever he asks for, Atletico will be able to pay.”
CK Akonnor, Arsenal supporters won’t want to kill you, but you have been very naughty and we won’t invite you to the Emirates. 😝
I heard the interview live and I don’t agree with my national team coach. We rate the premiership higher than la liga in Ghana 🇬🇭.
That’s his opinion though but I don’t think such comments will discourage Partey from not joining us. Because of Essien’s successes in the epl, he would join if we give him what he wants.
Totally forgot about essien!! Great player 👌
Sure ting bro
By the way Thomas Partey was unused substitute on the bench in Atletico Madrid’s loss to LB Leipzig in the Champions League.
Although it was announced that Partey had a small injury, to have him not play in Atletico”s most important game of the year may mean that he was being protected for imminent transfer.
Here’s hoping Arsenal doesn’t muck it up by upsetting Atletico Madrid by haggling and just pays the €50 million buy out.
Coach ck Akonnor’s assessment is really out of place, attaining champions league football is one of the very key reasons of arsenal’s pursuit of partey and saying his position in playing the champions league is guaranteed is a slap to arsenal when in fact partey can help arsenal get champions league football and playing regularly in the process for a team who outrightly needs him… Poor poor advice coming from his national team coach!!!
Even Essien in the past okayed the idea of partey joining arsenal so akonnor should zip it there.
I strongly believe if reasonable factors are listed as reasons that will stop Partey from joining Arsenal, Akonnor’s reason would not count.
CK Akonnor can have his opinion and I can have mine, along with some numbers.
Was not AFC in CL longer than any other team in EPL history?
20 years straight…….
End of…….
You dont get a trophy for that though. Also Atletico Madrid make European final consistently, and win European trophies. We don’t. It’s not much of a competition if we compare recent histories. I dont always think stating what is reality is insulting.
We need Partey to take us into the Champions League, but I don’t think his national team’s advice can affect him if he wants to come to Arsenal.