Arsenal are set to sign Brentford captain Christian Norgaard, who’s poised to become Andrea Berta’s third deal of the summer, but they could yet add another midfielder to Mikel Arteta’s ranks before deadline day.
The looming exit of veteran first-team star Thomas Partey, following botched discussions over a new contract, quickly made the signing of another defensive midfield achor vital for Arteta.
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They know the costs of what would be a marquee deal.
Partey made over 50 appearances for Arsenal last term, in what was his best-ever campaign at the club, but talks over the Ghanaian’s potential extension hit a roadblock – meaning he’s now set to leave the Emirates as a free agent past June 30.
|
Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports) |
Money on new signings |
|---|---|
|
19/20 – winter |
£0 |
|
20/21 – summer |
£81.5m |
|
20/21 – winter |
£900k |
|
21/22 – summer |
£156.8m |
|
21/22 – winter |
£1.8m |
|
22/23 – summer |
£121.5m |
|
22/23 – winter |
£59m |
|
23/24 – summer |
£208m |
|
23/24 – winter |
£0 |
|
24/25 – summer |
£101.5m |
|
24/25 – winter |
£0 |
This potentially accelerated Arsenal’s move for Norgaard, with the Gunners swiftly agreeing a deal to make him their latest new addition after Martin Zubimendi and Kepa Arrizabalaga, who also signed for the club recently.
Norgaard has been given permission to undergo his Arsenal medical, so barring any late disasters, the Denmark international will come in to replace Partey. Going by Brentford fan writer Ian Westbrook’s verdict on the 31-year-old, Arsenal have made a quality purchase.
“Norgaard has played a vital role in almost six years at the club, making nearly 200 appearances in all competitions and being named captain in the summer of 2023,” said Westbrook to the BBC.
“His importance to the side can be shown by the fact we failed to win any of the four Premier League games he missed last season, and had two victories in the seven in which he was absent during the last campaign.
“He is the glue that holds the side together in his defensive midfield role, protecting the defence, winning tackles and setting up attacks. This season he has also become a more regular goalscorer – with his six in all competitions (five in the Premier League) nearly half of his entire total of 13 for the club. We are a much weaker team without him.”
Arsenal approach Corinthians midfielder Breno BidonDespite Arsenal’s agreement for Norgaard, Brazilian news outlet UOL (via Sport Witness) has reported that sporting director Andrea Berta is keen on Corinthians midfielder Breno Bidon.
The 20-year-old isn’t a traditional defensive anchor like Norgaard, and is more like captain Martin Odegaard in the sense he plays both as a CAM and in a traditional centre-midfield role, so their interest makes sense.
UOL state that Corinthians are under pressure to sell at least one player to balance their books this summer, and Bidon is the “most likely” candidate to be shipped off as Arsenal, Brighton and Wolves all make contact.
With Arsenal said to have approached Bidon over joining Arteta’s side, Corinthians are also selling the player for a fee way below his £85 million release clause – which could be as low as £13 million.
