English giants Arsenal are ready to trigger the £42m release clause in Thomas Partey's contract with Atletico Madrid.

Spanish outlet Libertad Digital has reported the Premier League side are keen on signing the Ghana international.

According to them, Arsenal have held talks with Partey's representatives.

Partey has been regular for Atletico as he has started 20 games in La Liga this season.

In an earlier interview, the 26-year-old said: ''I think I am proud for having attracted the attention of other teams and this motivates me because it makes me feel that I am doing things well and improving things.

"There are things that you always think since childhood, but when you grow up things can change and you don’t know what can happen, but my desire is to stay here until the team don’t want me anymore.

"These are things that sometimes are not decisions of the player, they are decisions of the club and I always say that if the club wants me here then I will be here until they don’t want me anymore."