Brentford have moved quickly to strengthen their midfield ranks in light of Christian Norgaard's impending switch across London to Arsenal
Antoni Milambo
Brentford are set to sign Holland U21 international starlet Antoni Milambo
(Image: Getty Images)
Brentford have agreed a deal to sign 20-year-old Feyenoord attacking midfielder Antoni Milambo. The transfer, expected to be worth an initial £17million plus £4.25m in bonuses, has been in the works for several weeks. Mirror Football first reported the Bees' interest in early May and talks were opened between the parties during Thomas Frank's time at the club.
The Dane had approved the arrival of Milambo but the west London outfit have had to show patience throughout the process as the highly-rated Dutch starlet has been away at the European Championships in Slovakia with Orajne. Milambo started Wednesday's 2-1 semi-final defeat to England in Bratislava and is now poised to finalise his switch to the Gtech Community Stadium as he prepares to embark on a new chapter in the Premier League.
Sources close to Milambo believe Brentford are viewed as the perfect club for his development after the Bees presented their project towards the end of last season, winning over the player during initial discussions. A verbal agreement on personal terms has been in place for over a month.
In Rotterdam, there is some frustration that they're losing one of the club's most-promising talents. Milambo became Feyenoord's youngest-ever debutant at 16 years and 131 days old in August 2021 under Liverpool boss Arne Slot and made 29 Eredivisie appearances last season, scoring three goals.
The Netherlands U21 starlet put his name up in lights earlier in the campaign when he also netted three times in the Champions League, including an impressive brace against Benfica.
He will team up with international team-mate Sepp van den Berg in the capital and looks set to become the first arrival of the Keith Andrews era, although Brentford are yet to confirm the appointment of the Irishman.
Christian Norgaard of Brentford during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Chelsea FC at Gtech Community Stadium on April 6, 2025 in Brentford, England.
Christian Norgaard is set to join Arsenal from Brentford(Image: Mark Leech/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
There are still some small details to finalise but news of Milambo's arrival comes as a major boost for Brentford after they reluctantly agreed the departure of club captain Christian Norgaard to Arsenal.
The Gunners launched an approach for the 31-year-old, who only penned a new two-year Bees deal in March, on Wednesday and by the end of the day reached an agreement worth an estimated £10m plus bonuses.
Brentford have authorised Norgaard to travel for his Arsenal medical just months after he rejected multiple offers from overseas to depart the Gtech on a free transfer and collect more cash in wages.
Milambo is not considered a replacement for Norgaard, even though he can play as a No.8 as well as a a No.10.
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