Shirt numbers available for Thomas Partey at Arsenal

Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey this summer.

The 26-year-old has again been in impressive form for Diego Simeone's side during the 2019-20 campaign, contributing three goals and one assist in 35 appearances in all competitions.

The midfielder is rumoured to have a £44m release clause in his current deal at the Wanda Metropolitano, though, and Arsenal are allegedly closing in on a move for the Ghana international.

Thomas has featured on 174 occasions for Atletico in all competitions since making his debut in 2015, winning the Europa League and UEFA Super Cup during his time in the first team.

Here, Sports Mole looks at the shirt numbers available for Thomas at the Emirates Stadium should he arrive during this summer's transfer window.

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Thomas has worn the number five shirt for Atletico in each of the last three seasons, having switched from '22', which he sported when he first broke into the first team for the capital giants.

Five is also the jersey that the midfielder wears for Ghana but that particular number is occupied by experienced centre-back Sokratis Papastathopoulos in the Arsenal squad.

The number four shirt is available, though, and could be an option for the 26-year-old, while the number six and number seven jerseys are also vacant in Mikel Arteta's squad.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan had worn the number seven for the Gunners before leaving for Roma on loan, while the number six has been vacant since Laurent Koscielny's departure last summer.

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Number 12 and number 13, previously held by Stephan Lichtsteiner and David Ospina respectively, are also both open for Thomas, while '18' has been vacant since the departure of experienced defender Nacho Monreal.

In terms of the top 30 shirt numbers, '25' is also available, having not yet been filled since Carl Jenkinson's departure. Meanwhile, the '27' could be available next season as Konstantinos Mavropanos is currently on loan at FC Nurnberg and could leave the Emirates Stadium on a permanent deal this summer.

Depending on what else happens at Arsenal in the transfer market ahead of the 2020-21 campaign, there is certainly a chance that the Premier League club could offer Thomas the number seven shirt.

The midfielder actually sported the '7' during his time representing Atletico Madrid B, although the number six jersey would also be a genuine option for the 27-time Ghana international.