Ex-Mali and Sevilla striker Frederic Kanoute hopes that Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey stays in LaLiga amidst ongoing transfer rumours.
Partey has been linked with a summer move to several clubs with Premier League side Arsenal understood to be monitoring his services, while Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and Chelsea have also been credited with an interest in the Ghanaian.
Kanoute is keen to see the 26-year-old remain in the Spanish top-flight ahead of next season.
"There are a few exciting [African] players in LaLiga in my opinion,” former Mali international Kanoute told Goal during a LaLiga conference on Wednesday.
"I really like Thomas [Partey] of Atletico Madrid. He’s a player who is going to keep improving, and there have even been rumours of him leaving to other clubs.
"We hope to keep him in LaLiga as long as possible."
Partey is enjoying his best season in LaLiga with Atletico Madrid and with his release clause set at just €50million (£43.5m), it is no surprise he is on the Gunners' radar.
He has made 31 appearances in all competitions for Los Rojiblancos as they lie 6th on the league table with 45 points after 27 matches played thus far.
Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, are working on a new deal to tie down the player until 2026 (his current contract runs until 2023) and want to increase his clause to a more prohibitive €100m (£87m), according to reports in Spain.