Time to ‘Partey’ - Arsenal sign key target, United grab Cavani on transfer deadline day

Manchester United’s search for a striker ended with the signing of veteran free agent striker Edinson Cavani, while Arsenal secured midfielder Thomas Partey from Atlético Madrid before the summer transfer window closed yesterday.

The 33-year-old Cavani is prolific, scoring 200 goals in 301 games during seven years at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) but he was released at the end of his contract in June. And the Uruguay forward has not played since March and struggled with injury problems in his final season at PSG.

It took Arsenal meeting a €50 million release clause to sign the 27-year-old Partey, who anchored Atlético’s midfield with his strong defensive skills. Mixing speed and strength, the Ghanaian can provide a shield for the Arsenal defence and has an eye for goal.

“He is a dynamic midfielder with great energy,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said. “He’s an intelligent footballer and we’re looking forward to him integrating into our system.”

Arsenal have made significant financial investment in Partey despite announcing plans in August to make 55 staff redundant to stem the losses caused by the pandemic, which has seen stadiums closed to fans. The spending strengthening the squad is necessary to return to the UEFA Champions League, with Arsenal fourth in the early standings.

Man United’s leadership had also warned its transfer activities would be hampered by the impact of the coronavirus, and was priced out of a move for 20-year-old Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho.

Instead, with United reeling from a 6-1 loss to Tottenham in the English Premier League on Sunday, ended up with a player in the twilight of his career in Cavani.

TARGET LIST

Given Cavani has been available for months, it is a sign of where he ranked on United’s target list that he was signed only in the final hours of the transfer window.

“I look forward to continuing to write my little story inside the book of football,” Cavani said, “and I know that’s why my focus has to remain the same as always – work, work, work.”

The Uruguayan has signed a one-season contract with the option for an additional year, and United’s second game after the international break is against PSG in the UEFA Champions League on October 20.

“His goalscoring record for club and country is fantastic, and we are delighted to sign a player of his calibre,” United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said. “He’ll bring energy, power, leadership and a great mentality to the squad but, most importantly, he’ll bring goals.”

Solskjaer has been deploying Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood up front. The last striker United signed was a backup: Odion Ighalo on deadline day in January.

AP