Very serious arsenal to pay e50m for atletico midfielder
You're referring to Thomas Partey!
Yes, Arsenal did make a serious bid to sign Thomas Partey from Atlético Madrid in the summer of 2020. The Gunners reportedly offered €50 million (approximately £44 million) to sign the Ghanaian midfielder, but Atlético Madrid held out for a higher fee.
Partey eventually joined Arsenal on a permanent deal in October 2020, with the transfer fee reportedly set at €50 million, plus add-ons. The midfielder has since become a key player for the Gunners, impressing with his defensive solidity, passing range, and goal-scoring ability.
It's worth noting that Partey's transfer fee was a significant investment for Arsenal, but the club has since seen a return on that investment, with the midfielder helping the team to qualify for the Europa League and reach the FA Cup final in his first season.