Real Madrid are considering a shock move for Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey, PrimeNewsGhana.com can exclusively confirm.
The tough-tackling midfielder is seen as an alternative to Manchester United's Paul Pogba.
Partey who has been one of the best performers for Atletico Madrid is valued at 50 million Euros.
The Black Stars midfielder has been linked with a host of top European clubs including Manchester United and Manchester City but the source close to the player has disclosed that Real Madrid now look favourite to get his signature.
Thomas Teye Partey is a Ghanaian midfielder who plays for Spanish side Atletico Madrid as a defensive midfielder.
According to the source, Real Madrid sees Partey as a physical player who has the ability to chip in goals as well.
The source close to the player says Real Madrid may sign Partey before he departs for the 2019 AFCON.
Partey's Profile
DATE OF BIRTH
The 25-year-old Partey was born on June 13, 1993, in Odumase Krobo, Ghana.
EARLY FOOTBALL CAREER
Partey was a product of the local Odometah FC's youth ranks.
He was sent to Atletico Madrid in 2011 where he was mainly with the reserve side.
He made a total of 28 appearances and scored 3 goals for the reserves.
LOANED TO MALLORCA AND ALMERIA
On 12 July, Thomas was loaned to RCD Mallorca, freshly relegated to the second level and later loaned to UD Almeria in 2014 on a short-term deal.
Thomas Partey had a good period with both clubs making 37 and 31 matches respectively but he later returned to Atletico in 2015.
RETURN TO ATLETICO MADRID
Partey made his first-team debut for Atleti on 28 November 2015, replacing Luciano Vietto in a 1–0 home win against Espanyol.
On 2 January of the following year, he scored his first league goal for the club, netting the game's only goal in a home success over Levante UD.
He has won the UEFA Europa League with the side and currently is an integral part of the Atletico Madrid setup, Partey currently has 78 caps for Atletico and has scored 8 goals for the Madrid-based side.
INTERNATIONAL CAREER
In May 2016, Thomas was called up for the first time to the Ghana national team by manager Avram Grant, ahead of a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match against Mauritius.
Thomas Partey made his debut on 5 June, replacing Frank Acheampong for the final 11 minutes of a 2–0 away win that booked the Black Stars' position in the finals.
On 5 September 2017, Thomas scored his first international hattrick in a 5-1 win against Congo in a 2018 World Cup Qualification match.
INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT
Atletico Madrid honoured Partey with plague at the Wanda Metropolitano on his 100th appearance.
He was given a march of honour just before Atletico Madrid's clash with Rayo Vallecano.
On Tuesday, January 8, 2019, Partey was named in the 2018 Africa's Best XI in the Aiteo CAF Awards held in Senegal.
Read also: Thomas Partey named in 2018 CAF team of the year
EXCLUSIVE: Real Madrid consider shock move for Thomas Partey
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