Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has already given Arsenal an outline of Thomas Partey's best qualities, amid reports that the Gunners have made a bid for the midfielder.
The Atleti holding midfielder, who has established himself as one of Europe's top players in his position, has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium over the past few months, with Gunners head coach Mikel Arteta planning to strengthen the spine of his side this summer.
The Gunners' hopes of qualifying for the Europa League rest on whether they can beat Chelsea in the FA Cup final.
But regardless of what happens at Wembley, Arteta is planning to add some much-needed steel and physical presence to the centre of his midfield ahead of his first full season at the Emirates.
And according to The Guardian, Arsenal have had a second bid of €25million (£22.5m) plus Matteo Guendouzi for Partey rejected on Monday, with the Gunners reluctant to match Partey’s £45.5million release clause.
Partey's manager at the Wanda Metropolitano, Diego Simeone, has previously spoken about how versatile the Ghanaian international is.
"Thomas is the one who best understands this position and the transition from defence to attack, shooting, scoring, providing assists and playing passes between the lines," Simeone said last month.
"When he's at his best level consistently, he's so good that all the best teams in Europe are looking at him."
Gunners boss Arteta is confident that the club hierarchy will provide the funds to bring in the necessary players in the transfer window.
"I am encouraged that we are on the same page, and that we are going to try to do our best to evolve the team," he told Sky Sports before Arsenal's 3-2 win over Watford.
"First of all the players we already have here, if there is anything extra to help them more and give them a better environment, and then, if we go into the market and we have to do things, to decide which ones to do and how quickly we can do them.
"We are completely ready for that, and I also have a really good understanding with [technical director] Edu. We have been working together very closely to put together a plan that we are convinced can be successful.
"But also, it's important to have all the information you need from the team that you have, from the players, from everything. That took some time as well."
