Ateltico Madrid are open to selling Ghana midfielder, Thomas Partey this summer.

The 26 year old has been linked to Arsenal this summer with the camp of the player saying he is interested in the move.

Mikel Arteta is understood to be desperate on bolstering his central-midfield options this summer, especially in a defensive sense, and it is apparent that the Ghana international is right at the very top of his wish list.

Partey has a release clause worth £43million and the Gunners are hopeful that they can convince Atletico to part with the midfielder for less.

Partey is a key figure in Atletico boss Diego Simeone's team, meaning the Argentine will not be keen on the idea of parting with the tough-tackling midfield star this summer.

But according to Sky Sports pundit Gianluca Di Marzio, Atletico would be open to the idea of selling Partey this summer if the price was right, meaning they may not be so stubborn if Arsenal were to continue to knock on the door to try and get a deal done to take the midfielder to the Emirates Stadium.

Di Marzio told Sky Sports: "Arsenal want him a lot. Every Atletico Madrid player is in the market.

"So, it depends a lot on the offer. Atletico are open to selling every player if the offer is good.

"It also depends on budget - how much Arsenal can afford? And how much Atletico want?

"Atletico will want money, so it is difficult to see them doing a deal involving other players as part of it."

However, Di Marzio has warned that he would not be surprised if the Spanish giants were to retain the Ghana international beyond the next transfer window.

"They are very smart when it comes to doing deals and it will not be a surprise if Thomas Partey was to stay," he added.

"He is young, he is not like Diego Costa, and they can sell him next year if they want or even in two years time.

"So they are in control."

Only last week, Partey's father revealed that his son was locked in talks with Arsenal about a move to the Premier League, only for that claim to be quickly quashed by the player's representatives.