Arteta has pocketed a midfielderplaceholder image
Arteta has pocketed a midfielder | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Arsenal are said to be well on their way to signing a new midfielder.
Arsenal are on their way to securing a smart signing that will allow them to add much-needed depth ahead of the new season. The Gunners must get their summer business right as they look to finally end their more than two decade long wait for their next Premier League title.
The pressure is on for Mikel Arteta, who will be expected to finally deliver that title after years of big spending, and spending that will continue this summer. The Gunners need to add depth and quality in a number of areas, including in midfield amid two departures in the heart of the pitch.
Jorginho left at the end of his contract - in fact a little earlier - to join Flamengo ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup, while Thomas Partey looks set to move on amid failing contract talks. To replace those players, Arsenal are going to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad on a big-money deal, and the Spanish international will almost certainly be an instant starter.
Elsewhere, it’s now being reported that Brentford star Christian Norgaard will replace Partey as the depth player in midfield. It’s reported that a £9.3million deal has been agreed with Brentford and that a medical is expected in the coming days.
Fabrizio Romano has posted on X: “Christian Nørgaard has been authorized to undergo medical at Arsenal after deal agreed with Brentford. Next signing after Kepa and Martin Zubimendi, done.”
The move is a little surprising as far as Norgaard is concerned, given he will almost certainly be a back-up player at the Emirates Stadium. The midfielder said when he signed a new contract with Brentford in March: "I enjoy the responsibility and the role I have at the club. I’ve been at other clubs where I haven’t played as much so just playing football is something you should always appreciate.
"Our whole coaching staff is incredible to work with and again, is something that played its part in me extending. It’s special to keep being a part of something that you’ve been a part of for a long time."
Norgaard on his fine season
Speaking about his good form last season and the catalyst for it, Norgaard told the Brentford website in May: “Even back in pre-season, I felt a little bit anxious about where I was and where the team was going into this season after a season where we were struggling a little bit. I remember Kevin O’Connor came to me just before the warm-up against Crystal Palace in the first game of the season. He just looked me in the eyes and said, ‘Christian, you’ve been f****** fantastic this pre-season, you’re such a good leader and we’re all behind you’.
“It was something like that and it was a bit out of the blue. It made me so relaxed and calm. I’ve thought about that little conversation and those small words which, maybe it was not a big deal for him, but for me it was the right moment and the right time to hear those words. I’ve leaned a little bit upon those words whenever I’ve needed them this season to know that there is a lot of support for me in my role both from the coaching staff but also the players.”
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