Arsenal have reportedly been handed a boost in the race to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey.

While the Gunners are known to hold an interest in the Ghana international, they appear to be reluctant to pay the player's £45m release clause.

Ahead of the new season, Atletico have been refusing to considering anything less than the stated fee, a stance also taken with part-exchange deals.

However, according to Marca, the La Liga outfit are willing to conclude the transfer of Espanyol's Marc Roca, who is regarding as a potential replacement for Partey.

That could theoretically lead to Atletico reconsidering how to handle the 27-year-old, aware that they need to reduce their wage bill over the coming weeks.

Partey has, so far, rejected any offers of a new contract from Atletico, a club which he has represented since 2015 after two loan spells elsewhere.