Christian Norgaard is on the verge of joining Arsenal from Brentford, with the player already set for a medical and a deal fully agreed.
On Wednesday afternoon, David Ornstein reported for The Athletic that Arsenal were in the process of finalising an agreement with Brentford for the transfer of Christian Norgaard.
Ornstein added that a medical was being planned, with Arsenal in talks with the player over the length of his contract at the Emirates Stadium.
Sami Mokbel of the BBC then reported that a deal was agreed with Brentford, with an initial fee of around £10m with £5m in add-ons. Mokbel confirmed that the move was as a result of Thomas Partey’s imminent exit at the expiry of his contract next week.
Talks over Norgaard’s contract clearly went well, as Fabrizio Romano then reported later in the evening that personal terms had been agreed.
Both Mokbel and Romano confirmed that Norgaard has been authorised to undergo a medical with Arsenal, which is now seemingly the final step before the deal can be finalised.
Norgaard would then become Arsenal’s third summer signing, despite none of them being announced yet. The Gunners have already completed deals for Martin Zubimendi and Kepa Arrizabalaga, but the official confirmation remains pending in both cases.
Brentford are already reinvesting their incoming cash, agreeing a deal with Feyenoord to sign midfielder Antoni Milambo for £17m plus £4.25m in add-ons, according to Ryan Taylor of the Mirror.
Norgaard is likely to act as an alternative to fellow incoming midfield signing Zubimendi, with the duo replacing Partey and Jorginho as Arsenal’s new defensive midfielders.
Norgaard made 35 appearances for Brentford last season, scoring six goals and assisting four. He’s also a regular with the Denmark national team, appearing in 11 of their last 16 matches – including starts in both legs of the Nations League quarter-final against Portugal.
The 31-year-old was only second to Ryan Gravenberch in total interceptions in the Premier League last season, as he ranks among the best ball winners in the division. There’s no doubt that Zubimendi is the more progressive of the two midfield additions, but that gives Arsenal options.
If and when the Gunners need to see out a lead, bringing on Norgaard would help that cause, and in certain games his focus on ball-winning could make him the better option from the start. For £10m plus add-ons, it seems a good deal.