Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has given the thumbs up to Arsenal signing Thomas Partey after wanting the Gunners to snap up Houssem Aouar instead.
Aubameyang took to Instagram after the £110million deal for the Ghanaian was confirmed on deadline day, endorsing the transfer with a 'like' on Arsenal's official page.
Gunners striker Aubameyang had been vocal as Arsenal pursued Houssem Aouar before the club turned its attention to Partey.
"He's a very good player," Aubameyang said of the Frenchman. "I hope we will be lucky to have these types of players at the club, I'm sure he can bring a lot to us.
"I hope he will come even though he's a Lyonnais."
Aouar was expected to join the Gunners, but the midfielder eventually snubbed a switch, saying his adventure in France has not yet concluded.
"[Why did I make] my choice to stay in Lyon?" he said. "I felt that I could still bring something to this team and to this club.
"That's why I have made the choice to continue my adventure with Lyon. I hope we will get up and find our form again quickly."
Upon receiving the message loud and clear Arsenal turned their attention to Partey, and triggered his £52.5m release clause on deadline day.
Arsenal agreed to pay Partey £2.5m up front as a signing-on fee as well as £260,000-a-week for four years. His agent also received 10 per cent commission on the deal.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said: "He brings a lot of experience from a top club that has competed at the highest level in La Liga and the Champions League for several years.
"We're very impressed with his attitude and his approach to the game. He's an intelligent footballer and we're looking forward to him integrating into our system and contributing to the progress we're building at the moment at the club."
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