Former captain of the senior national team of Nigeria Kanu Nwankwo has been handed a role by Arsenal as they advanced in talks to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey
Arsenal are keen on adding the Ghanaian to their squad ahead of the start of season with several reports saying the Gunners are set to trigger his buy out clause of around €50 million.
Partey has according to reports agreed on a move to Arsenal after talks which had in attendance Kanu who spent five seasons at Arsenal winning two Premier League titles and two FA Cups during a period viewed by many as the most successful of the Arsene Wenger era.
44 year old Kanu took part in the talks and conceived Partey who views the Nigerian as his idol to accept a move to the Emirates.
He said “ I’m a huge admirer of Mikel Obi. I like the way he keeps things very simple on the pitch and makes it seem so simple and easy to do but Nwankwo Kanu is my idol.
“He’s the best midfielder I’ve ever seen play football. He was a genius,” Partey said in 2018 prior to a friendly game between the B team of Nigeria and Atletico Madrid.
All that is left is for Arsenal to trigger the release clause of the 27 year old who has spent virtually all of his career in Europe so far representing the Spanish side .