Arsenal have launched a deadline day attempts to sign Ghana and Athletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey in the last hours of the transfer window.

The London club have informed Partey's club Athletico Madrid of their willingness to trigger the release clause of the midfielder.

Arsenal have been on the trail of the midfielder all  summer but have made arrangements to have the player's medical examination done and the deal wrapped up before the transfer deadline.

Despite a very encouraging start to the Premier League, marked by three wins  and a defeat , Arsenal still intend to sign by the end of the transfer window.

The Gunners are primarily targeting a defensive midfielder. For this position, their number one target remains Thomas Partey.

Despite the complexity of the case, London officials have not given up on the idea of getting their hands on the Ghanaian international.

According to Charles Watts of goal.com, the gunners have informed Athletico Madrid and the player's entourage about their decision to trigger the release clause today.

Partey has a 50 million euros release clause in his contract and Athletico Madrid are not keen to negotiate with any interested club unless the release clause is paid in full.

The Rojiblancos have offered the Ghanaian International who is among the least paid players at the club a contract extension but is stalling on extending it as he inches for a move out of the club.

He has been linked to a host of clubs such as PSC, Inter Milan, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal among others.