The ex-Getafe and Eibar midfielder has a word for his fellow Ghanaian who could be on his way out of Atletico Madrid in the summer.
The 27-year-old is currently a hot commodity in Europe, having been linked to Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea. Italian clubs Juventus and Inter Milan are also reportedly keen on signing the Atletico Madrid’s ace midfielder.
But Derek Owusu Boateng, a member of the Black Stars squad that made history by qualifying Ghana to its first ever World Cup quarterfinal in South Africa 2010, wants the former Tema Youth FC player to fancy a move to club that would ‘make him happy and as well enjoy more playing time’.
‘’For me as a senior brother, as experience player [sic], I like him a lot, he’s such a respectful player and wherever he is right now he deserves it, Boateng told SPORTSworldGhana.com in an exclusive interview.
The Atletico Madrid man faces an uncertain summer due to a release clause in his contract which is reported to be £44.5million.
‘’I personally want him to play at where he would be happy, we all know that he is playing every game at Atletico Madrid, we don’t know what is going on there, he only knows what is going on there and can explain things better but the premier league is also a good league for him to play but at the end of the day you have to play at where you will be happy and also respected.
‘’About seven people have even sent me messages on Instagram that I should advice Partey to move to Arsenal but the best advice I can give him is that he should play at where he will be happy, if Atletico Madrid is making him happy and he is playing week in week out then he should stay there, play and enjoy the game.
‘’When I was in Spain I played against him and after the game we talked for a while so I know him. I remember he once had an interview when he started his career at Mallorca where he mentioned that he likes all these players me Andrés Iniesta, Yaya Toure those kind of players but I am his role model and that he wants to be like, he wants to play like me,’’ the former Fulham midfielder revealed.
Boateng who played 27 matches and scored 8 goals for Beitar Jerusalem between 2006 and 2008, also advised the Black Stars ace to consider a club that perfectly suits his style of play before deciding to sign for them.
‘’I think he has to check where his style of play suits because sometimes you can make some move and you won’t finish well,”
Meanwhile, the player’s father Jacob Partey has revealed in an earlier interview that he would on any day sanction his son’s move to Arsenal.
Speaking on Ghanaian-based radio station Tru FM, he said: “I called my son after hearing the rumours and he told me that the rumours are true. He told me they are holding talks between him and Arsenal. It all depends on the offer Atletico are demanding.
“If he goes to Arsenal, fine, they have a lot of supporters in Ghana. I will be happy if he decides to move to Arsenal. What they are discussing now is how Atletico will release him.”
Partey joined Atletico from Ghana in 2011. After time in the Rojiblancos’ youth set-up, he spent time on loan at Real Mallorca and Almeria before making his senior breakthrough at his parent club in 2015-2016.
Partey had impressed greatly before the 2019-20 season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, helping Atletico knock holders Liverpool out of the Champions League.
This season, the Ghana international has made 25 league appearances, starting 21 of the matches and scoring twice.
