Former Aston Villa forward Nii Lamptey has warned Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey to think twice about joining Arsenal.

The Gunners are believed to be closing in on a deal for the Ghana international, who has a £50m release clause in his contract.

Italian sides Juventus and Inter Milan have also been linked, but Lamptey has urged Partey to consider staying in Spain if he is to further his career.

"There are numerous offers coming for Thomas Partey but his career will take a nosedive if he doesn't choose his next move well," he told Ocean 1 TV. "The country and league he will pick will determine his future.

"I will advise him to stay in Spain rather than going to England or Italy. Per style of play, he can move within Spain and join another top club rather than focusing on the financial gains to move out of the country because that can be suicidal.

"Sometimes, decision making can destroy your career. My move to England was a wrong one for me. Aston Villa was a wrong move because their style of play was not going to suit me.

"If I had gone to France or Spain at that time, it would have helped my career more than going to England."

Lamptey spent one season in the Premier League with Villa and lasted just a year with fellow Midlands club Coventry City.