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Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is showing little sign of slowing down after their now-completed deal for Brentford captain Christian Norgaard.
Arsenal seal Christian Norgaard signing after deal agreed
The 31-year-old, as per widespread reports in the last two days, will be Arsenal's third summer capture after midfielder Martin Zubimendi and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reacts
Zubimendi has finalised a £56 million move to N5, as per Fabrizio Romano, with Arsenal also activating the £5 million release clause in Kepa's contract. The Spanish duo are now set to be joined by Norgaard, following a whirlwind last 48 hours.
Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports) Money on new signings
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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
Interest in the Denmark international emerged earlier this week, but talks for Norgaard soon intensified, and before long, a deal was agreed for the midfielder to replace the exit-bound Thomas Partey.
While Romano states that Arsenal will pay around £9 million, there are some discrepancies over the 31-year-old's final price tag, with the BBC reporting that his actual fee is closer to an initial £10 million plus an additional £5 million in performance-related add-ons.
"Norgaard is a modern defensive-anchor player. There's no doubt he can rival Partey, or offer more options to Arteta - offering him more depth in his squad," said former West Ham, Crystal Palace and Wolves coach, Edu Rubio, to the BBC.
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*"*Christian can break up play, intercept, tackle, block and win aerial duels. He can let Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice do their thing while he protects their backs. He can also recycle the ball and play forwards effectively. In a league where there are so many transitions, a player who senses danger and has a great ability to regain the ball can be a must-have in your team. His physicality, and the fact it's been tested at the Premier League, also makes him a very sensible signing. He can be a great addition to Arsenal."
After Norgaard, links continue to surround Chelsea winger Noni Madueke.
Arsenal working on Noni Madueke deal with Chelsea
As per TUTTOmercatoWEB, Berta is leading the charge for Madueke, who cost Chelsea around £30 million to sign from PSV Eindhoven in 2023.
Chelsea-Madueke
The England international was called one of Chelsea's "best players" by manager Enzo Maresca, and he earned recent praise from Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel for his performances in their latest round of fixtures.
According to TMW, Arsenal and Chelsea are working on a deal for Madueke in ongoing talks, with the 23-year-old potentially up for sale given the sheer competition for places in Maresca's preferred attacking formation.
With Kepa about to join the club, and Raheem Sterling signing on loan last summer, the two sides already have an excellent business relationship - so this one could have legs.