Arsenal will consider moving for Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey when the transfer window opens.

The Ghana international, who starred in the Champions League win over Liverpool this week, is understood to be high on the list of targets for Mikel Arteta ahead of his first full season as manager.

Partey, 26, has a release clause of around £45million and Atletico are braced for approaches. According to a source at Wanda Metropolitano there is “interest from an English club” and his buy-out price means he will be a target.

Arteta wants a defensive midfielder as one of his priorities as he looks to rebuild after taking over from Unai Emery in December.

The Spaniard has been impressed with Partey over the midfielder’s five seasons as a regular in La Liga. Before that, Partey had loan spells at Mallorca and Almeria in the second tier before making the step up.

There is a belief that Partey would fit immediately in the Premier League after showing his pedigree in the Champions League under Diego Simeone.

Arteta would welcome competition in that area despite bringing back Granit Xhaka to the Arsenal team. He also has Lucas Torreira but his recent fractured ankle has left the Arteta with less options for the final part of the season.

Arsenal made two signings in January to bolster Arteta’s squad with Pablo Marí at centre-back and Cédric Soares at full-back, which was seen as his priority.

But this summer will see him look to bolster his midfield, with Partey a preferred option should he be persuaded to leave for the Emirates Stadium, although offering Champions League football now looks unlikely.