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Arsenal are exploring a deal to sign Brentford captain Christian Norgaard as a potential replacement for Thomas Partey, according to multiple reports.
The Athletic's David Ornstein revealed the Gunners are eyeing up the Bees' skipper if Partey is to depart when his contract expires in a matter of days. Ornstein and Fabrizio Romano announced Mikel Arteta's side had made a bid worth €11m for Norgaard.
Negotiations are said to be ongoing with Brentford yet to respond to Arsenal's offer while Norgaard is reported to want a move to north London.
Arsenal target Christian Norgaard as potential Thomas Partey replacement
🚨 Arsenal exploring deal to sign Christian Norgaard from Brentford. #AFC proposal for 31yo midfielder ~€11m & awaiting #BrentfordFC reply. Denmark international contracted until June 2027 but keen - among options amid potential Partey exit @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/xhhZ6JlhYt
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) June 25, 2025
The prospect of Partey leaving Arsenal this summer is beginning to look very real. Negotiations over a new contract have stalled and with clubs such as Barcelona sniffing around, it is very possible he will be lured away from the Gunners on a free transfer.
With that in mind, Arsenal likely now know they will have to sign a second midfielder during the transfer window, having already sealed the deal for Martin Zubimendi. If Partey leaves, he will be the second midfielder to leave this summer, alongside Jorginho, leaving the Gunners with a real gap in quality and depth in the middle of the park.
With Mikel Arteta, Andrea Berta and Co knowing this, they have begun to identify potential targets to replace him. Norgaard has been identified as a possible option, along with the likes of Sevilla starlet Lucien Agoume.
The Danish international would be an ideal replacement for Partey. He's older, but with age comes experience and with the Gunners awaiting the outcome of their €11m bid, they should be able to bring him in for a relatively cheap fee.
Norgaard is also reported to want a move to Arsenal and that is something that Arteta will love to hear, having previously stated he only wants to sign players who want to play for his side.
Partey leaving isn't guaranteed until any official announcement or reliable breaking news is shared, but it is smart for Arsenal to already be looking at potential replacements. It's looking more likely the Ghanaian will leave and with the Gunners exploring a deal for Christian Norgaard, they could have identified an ideal replacement.