After weeks of uncertainty, Arsenal are on the verge of signing Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid.
On Monday afternoon, the north Londoners opted to meet Atletico's £45million asking price for Ghana midfielder.
It's understood the 27-year-old will shortly undergo a medical - which will likely take place in Madrid - ahead of his big-money move to the Emirates.
Atletico were initially reluctant to let Partey leave the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium until they'd secured the services of a suitable replacement.
That replacement has yet to materialise, although it's understood the Spaniard's are still keen on replacing Partey with Gunners midfielder Lucas Torreira.
That has prompted the reigning FA Cup holders to meet the midfielder's £45million release clause, which Atletico have begrudgingly decided to honour.
Barring the small matter of his medical, all that remains for Partey to swap the Spanish capital for its English counterpart is for him to agree personal terms.
Arsenal's decision to meet Partey's release clause has stemmed from Arteta's eagerness to bring in a combative defensive midfielder.
In fact, it's understood his desire to sign a new No.6 outweighed his eagerness to bring in a new creative midfielder - which would explain why the Gunners have appeared to have ended their interest in signing Lyon's Houssem Aouar.
Partey joined Atletico in 2011 from Odometah FC but didn't make his debut for Los Rojiblancos until November 2015.
The Ghanaian has made a total of 188 appearances for Atleti, scoring 18 goals and providing 12 assists.
Partey's first Arsenal game could very well come against Premier League title hopefuls Manchester City, whom the Gunners will take on at the Etihad a week on Saturday.
Source: dailystar.co.uk