LONDON, Oct 6: 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 Atletico Madrid before the summer transfer window closed.
The 33-year-old Cavani is prolific � scoring 200 goals in 301 games during seven years at Paris Saint-Germain 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 euro (USD 59 million) release clause to sign the 27-year-old Partey, who anchored Atletico�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 on Monday.
�He�s an intelligent footballer and we�re looking forward to him integrating into our system.�
Arsenal has 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 in strengthening the squad is necessary to return to the Champions League, with Arsenal fourth in the early standings. � AP
