Arsenal have agreed to a deal with fellow Premier League club Brentford to sign Danish international midfielder Christian Norgaard.
Sources indicate the North London club will pay an initial fee of around £10 million, with a further £5 million in potential performance-related add-ons. The 31-year-old is now set to undergo a medical before completing the transfer.
The move for Norgaard comes as the contract of Arsenal’s current defensive midfielder, Thomas Partey, is set to expire at the end of the month. While the 32-year-old Ghana international has been in talks over a new deal, no agreement has been reached, prompting Arsenal to secure a Premier League-proven replacement.
It is understood that manager Mikel Arteta specifically identified Norgaard as his preferred target due to his extensive experience and consistent performances in the English top flight. Norgaard became a key player and club captain at Brentford under Thomas Frank, who recently departed to become the manager of Tottenham Hotspur.
Since Brentford’s promotion in 2021, Norgaard has established himself as one of the league’s most effective defensive midfielders. He has made more interceptions (201) than any other Premier League player in that period, while also ranking second for ball recoveries (844) and third for tackles won (189). The 2024-25 season was also his most prolific, as he scored six goals in all competitions.
Arsenal’s transfer activity is set to continue, as the club is also expected to complete the signing of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea this week and is reportedly close to finalising a £51 million deal for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.
Norgaard’s arrival will provide Arteta with a new option as a traditional holding midfielder, offering defensive security and allowing players like Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice more freedom to attack.
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