The £50million rated Ghanian international is thought to be Arteta's No1 target this summer with the club desperate for a defensive midfielder.

When Matteo Guendouzi joined Arsenal in an £8million deal from Ligue 2 side Lorient in the summer of 2018, his signing was meant to be one for the future.

Players at the Madrid-based club feared for their futures when the coronavirus led to football's shutdown. But Partey has stepped in to put the squad's minds at rest.

The 20-year-old playmaker has endured a difficult start to life in Spain, having been recruited as the fourth-most expensive player in the world, but hopes that Atletico will help him progress his game.

Around 3,000 Atletico Madrid supporters travelled for their Champions League victory in Liverpool. It came a day after LaLiga announced league games would play behind closed doors.

The four-day Festival was staged as planned in front of 250,000 people, with additional hygiene measures in place due to the coronavirus pandemic, and concluded on March 13. 

Atletico Madrid are reportedly ready to double Thomas Partey's salary to £130,000 a week in order to fend off interest from Arsenal.

A scientific adviser is interested to see whether there is a link between the number of coronavirus deaths in Liverpool and Spain after the Reds faced Atletico Madrid at Anfield in March.

The Portuguese star completed a £113million move to Atletico Madrid from Benfica last summer, but has struggled to hit the ground running in Spain and could be offered an escape route.

The midfielder is a top target for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side with the club prepared to bid up to £70million as well as offer him a huge salary increase.

The match has since received a huge amount of scrutiny after a huge crowd of 54,000 - with 3,000 fans arriving from Madrid - were allowed to attend the match, against the advice of the WHO.

The Ghanaian midfielder has been heavily linked with a summer move to the Emirates and has a £43million release clause in his current deal - allowing the Gunners to snap him up on the cheap.

Thomas Partey's agent has dismissed claims made by the player's father, Jacob, that the Atletico Madrid star has entered negotiations to sign for Arsenal.

Diego Simeone's side prevailed at Anfield on March 11 to book their place in the Champions League quarter-finals but it came against a backdrop of sporting uncertainty because of Covid-19.

Manchester City and Manchester United have been given a boost in their pursuit of Saul Niguez, as Barcelona have decided not to sign the defensive midfielder, according to Mundo Deportivo.

Thomas Partey's representatives have confirmed that there have been 'no conversations' between the midfielder and Arsenal, after reports linking him to the Gunners. 

The Spaniard's playing days so far have taken him from Spain, to Italy, to England and back to his homeland again, but the Liverpool centre-back has made a lasting impression.

PETE JENSON IN SPAIN: Atletico know it's unlikely but they have to cling to something. The horizon will look very dark for them otherwise - they would stand to lose around £88m from missed revenue

Liverpool's Champions League quarter-final at home to Atletico Madrid will be the focus of an inquiry by the city council over concerns it spread coronavirus in the area.

The pair fell out at Stamford Bridge which resulted in the now Atletico Madrid forward being tossed out of the club. Costa went AWOL just months after Chelsea won the league title in 2017.

David de Gea has signalled his intention to stay as Manchester United's No.1, saying he wants to remain at Old Trafford for 'many years'.

Edinson Cavani has been heavily linked with a move away from Paris Saint-Germain. Cavani who has spent seven years at the club is reportedly being pursued by Atletico Madrid.

Beckham is targeting a host of household names to bring to Inter Miami and has already sounded out Real Madrid duo Luka Modric and James Rodriguez over a potential move.

The Uruguayan's contract at PSG is up this summer and he is being heavily linked with a move away from Paris, with Atletico the most likely destination.

The most stunning name on the list is £89million flop Antoine Griezmann who only joined from Atletico Madrid last summer but has struggled to convince in Catalonia.

Mikel Arteta had identified Partey as a transfer target earlier in the season, with the Gunners boss hoping to convince the board to strike a deal for the 26-year-old when football returns to normality.

Diego Simeone and his players had medical checks at the club's training ground this week and the 22-year-old full-back has reportedly tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

The striker's current deal is set to expire in the summer and he has been linked with a move away from the French champions after almost departing in the January window.

Diego Simeone and his players began their preparations for the restart at the club's Ciudad Deporutiba Atletico de Madrid complex after Spain relaxed lockdown measures this week.

When James Rodriguez slammed home his sixth goal for Colombia at the 2014 World Cup, it was widely agreed that he had the potential to reach the very top. So where did it all go so wrong?

On Friday, a four-hour video conference took place between all 20 Premier League clubs over Project Restart, where tensions were palpable as to how the season should be ended.

Lucas Vazquez has revealed his love of the Premier League, hinting that curiosity could get the better of him and see him leave Real Madrid for England, as Chelsea keep an eye on the winger.

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has heaped praise on Virgil van Dijk, admitting the Liverpool defender's physical attributes make him extremely tough to play against.

Darmian spent four years at United before joining Parma last summer, but saw Rashford make his first-team debut in his first year at the club before France midfielder Pogba joined a year later.

Premier League players might be interviewed at half-time and cameras could placed in dressing rooms as part of the league's plans to revamp broadcasts in Project Restart.

He won't select Trent Alexander-Arnold over Gary Neville right now, but Rafael feels it is only a matter of time before the Liverpool youngster rockets past the level of his former team-mate.

The Manchester City forward, who would become Puma's highest-paid footballer should the deal go through, is also being pursued by rivals Adidas, New Balance and Under Armour.

Jesse Lingard is at a crossroads in his career. He is out of favour at his boyhood club, Manchester United. But these players show that leaving Old Trafford might not be the best option...

Amid unhappiness amongst relegation-threatened clubs on home advantage being lost, the Premier League made it clear last Friday that all 20 grounds could be used next season.

The Manchester United forward has not played since sustaining a back injury against Wolves in an FA Cup third round replay on January 15, but is nearing full fitness as he trains during lockdown.

EXCLUSIVE BY MATT HUGHES: The Premier League will make a desperate plea for unity this week amid claims that the bottom six clubs are sabotaging plans to resume the season.

The Premier League may hold a seven-week 'festival of football' if the season resumes, however it must start by June 19 if it is to be completed, according to The Sun. 

In Saturday's Daily Mail, chief sports writer Martin Samuel considered the growing conflict between top and bottom over restarting the season. Now he responds to reader comments.

Crystal Palace are confident that Roy Hodgson will not be barred from managing on safety grounds amid the coronavirus crisis when the Premier League resumes.

IAN LADYMAN: As English football conjures ever more fanciful ways to conclude an interrupted season, this is the problem. Anyone can get coronavirus, that includes footballers.

West Bromwich Albion midfielder Jake Livermore recalls how he took the young left back under his wing when he arrived in Yorkshire as a quiet teenager from Scotland.

Premier League clubs will hold urgent talks with their players this week amid major concerns from footballers over proposals to restart the season. 

Lifting the Premier League trophy was a regular occurrence during the striker's six years at Old Trafford but United have gone seven years and counting since last being champions of England.

Steve Parish has defended attempts to get the season back up and running amid the coronavirus pandemic, stressing not doing so would be a major financial blow to taxpayers and the football community.

If the sport is to return to complete the Premier League and EFL seasons then all matches will have to be played behind closed doors to maintain social distancing measures.