LONDON, England, June 25, 2025 – Arsenal are in superior talks with Brentford over a transfer for Brentford midfielder Christian Norgaard amid uncertainty over Thomas Partey’s future.
Sources have indicated the Emirates Stadium membership are exploring a deal value within the area of an preliminary £10m, with a attainable £5m in efficiency associated add-ons.
BBC Sport understands Sevilla’s 23-year-old French midfielder Lucien Agoume additionally options prominently on Arsenal’s record of attainable targets to exchange Partey.
Crucially, nonetheless, it’s understood Mikel Arteta has recognized Norgaard because the midfielder he needs as a result of he prefers a Premier League-ready participant.
Club-to-club discussions over the Denmark worldwide have accelerated within the final 24 hours, whereas it’s understood the 31-year-old is eager to affix Arteta’s facet.
Partey, 32, has been in talks over a brand new cope with the Gunners, however has to this point failed to succeed in an extension settlement.
He will depart when his contract expires subsequent week if new phrases can’t be finalised.
Norgaard, who joined Brentford in 2019 from Fiorentina and is contracted till 2027, grew to become a key participant for the Bees below Thomas Frank, who left to turn out to be supervisor of Tottenham earlier in June.
Arsenal are additionally set to finish the signing of Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga this week by paying his £5m launch clause and are close to finalising the £51m signing of Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.
What would Norgaard convey to the Emirates?
Matthew Hobbs, BBC Sport
Norgaard was linked with a reunion with former supervisor Thomas Frank at Tottenham earlier this summer season and his document exhibits why he’s extremely regarded by the highest groups.
The 31-year-old has simply accomplished his sixth successive season on the Gtech Community Stadium, together with all 4 of the Bees’ Premier League campaigns.
Since his top-flight debut in 2021, Norgaard has made 201 interceptions – probably the most of any Premier League participant throughout this era – whereas he additionally ranks second general for recoveries (844) and third for tackles gained (189).
Not essentially famend for goalscoring, six targets in all competitions in 2024-25 was additionally one of the best return of his total 14-year skilled profession.
While Norgaard gives his personal nicely of expertise, it will not be a like-for-like alternative for Partey – ought to he depart – because the Ghanaian gives extra dynamism carrying the ball in central areas, whereas the Dane is extra of a conventional six, screening for hazard in entrance of Brentford’s defence. As a outcome, Partey’s common carrying stats comfortably surpass these of Norgaard, who’s extra prolific at breaking apart opposition assaults.
‘He will be welcome addition for Arsenal’
Edu Rubio, former West Ham, Crystal Palace and Wolves coach
Norgaard is a contemporary anchor participant. There’s little doubt he can rival Partey, or supply extra choices to Arteta – providing him extra depth in his squad. Christian can break up play, intercept, deal with, block and win aerial duels. He can let the likes of Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice do their factor whereas he protects their backs.
He may also recycle the ball and play forwards successfully. In a league the place there are such a lot of transitions, a participant who senses hazard and has an amazing potential to regain the ball could be a must-have in your crew. His physicality, and the very fact it’s been examined on the Premier League, additionally makes him a really wise signing. He could be a welcome addition to Arsenal.
He would additionally match completely with Martin Zubimendi, if he signed. They may even play collectively if Mikel Arteta opts for 2 holding gamers and one 10, as an alternative of 1 anchor and two quantity eights. Zubimendi is extra a passer and creator. Christian is extra a break-up play midfielder who can regain possession, safe possession and cease the opposition from simply breaking into the ultimate third.
I really feel Arteta is ensuring he could have sufficient energy within the midfield space to compete in all 4 competitions.
‘The glue that holds the facet collectively’
Ian Westbrook, Brentford fan author
Norgaard has performed an important function in nearly six years on the membership, making practically 200 appearances in all competitions and being named captain in the summertime of 2023.
His significance to the facet will be proven by the very fact we didn’t win any of the 4 Premier League video games he missed final season, and had two victories within the seven by which he was absent over the past marketing campaign.
He is the glue that holds the facet collectively in his defensive midfield function, defending the defence, successful tackles and organising assaults. This season he has additionally turn out to be a extra common goalscorer – along with his six in all competitions (5 within the Premier League) practically half of his total complete of 13 for the membership. We are a a lot weaker crew with out him.
