Reports suggest Arsenal has made an initial offer for Brentford midfielder Christian Nørgaard, potentially seeing him as a replacement for Thomas Partey, who appears to be nearing an exit from the club.
Arsenal confirmed in early June that they were discussing a contract extension with Partey before his current deal expires on June 30. However, subsequent negotiations are reported to have reached a “standstill,” making it increasingly probable that the experienced midfielder will depart.
Speculation about Arsenal`s interest in Nørgaard emerged earlier this month. It now seems the club has advanced discussions by submitting an initial bid, as first reported by Danish media. The Athletic valued this opening offer at £9.4 million ($12.8 million). Brentford`s reaction to the proposal is yet to be known.
Brentford, renowned for their smart transfer dealings, are facing challenges this summer. Having already seen their first-choice goalkeeper depart, they now face strong interest from Manchester United in key forward Bryan Mbeumo. Adding to this, their captain, Nørgaard, could also be leaving.
Despite his contract running until 2027, Nørgaard`s age (31) means Brentford is unlikely to demand a significantly high transfer fee for the defensive midfielder. He is a dependable figure in the midfield, primarily focused on disrupting opposition attacks. Interestingly, a notable portion (almost 20%) of his Premier League goals have been scored against Arsenal.
Brentford manager Thomas Frank has consistently praised Nørgaard, describing him as a “late bloomer” and a defensive cornerstone. Frank notably lauded him after his Premier League debut in 2021, where Nørgaard scored in a memorable 2-0 victory against Arsenal. Frank even compared him favourably to Liverpool`s Fabinho, suggesting the difference would be minimal if they swapped clubs.
However, whether swapping Partey for Nørgaard proves to be a seamless transition for Arsenal remains uncertain.
