Arsenal have lodged a £9.3million bid to sign Brentford captain Christian Norgaard to fend off competition from Tottenham Hotspur, talkSPORT understands.

The Gunners are in the market to bolster their midfield having seen Jorginho depart for Flamengo on a free transfer.

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Meanwhile, Thomas Partey is just a week away from becoming a free agent having failed to agree terms on a new deal at the Emirates.

Arsenal had released a statement in which they confirmed they were locked in talks to extend the 32-year-old’s stay.

Though talkSPORT understands that he is also in negotiations with Barcelona.

And it seems that the Ghanaian is set to end his five-year stay in north London.

Arsenal appear to be preparing themselves for his departure having made an official offer to bring Norgaard to the club, with the Bees mulling over the approach.

Norgaard has been one of Brentford’s key players since joining from Fiorentina in 2019.

Should the 31-year-old make the move to Arsenal, it is likely he will be used in a back-up role.

That is because the Premier League title challengers have already agreed a deal to sign Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi.

It is widely believed that the Spaniard will be the club’s starting midfielder in the No.6 role, with skipper Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice playing in the free-roaming No.8 positions.

Norgaard’s future has been in question this summer following the departure of former boss Thomas Frank to Tottenham.

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And talkSPORT understands that the 35-cap Denmark international is on Spurs‘ radar as Frank plots a reunion with his compatriot.

However it is Arsenal that have made the first move to sign the ex-Brondby star in the race to secure his services.

It was only in March that Norgaard signed a new two-year deal at the Gtech Community Stadium as he approached the end of his contract.

But it’s understood that he is open to making a switch to Arsenal.

The 2024/25 season proved to be the most productive campaign of Norgaard’s career to date.

It was the first time that he had ever scored six goals in all competitions, while hitting in five league goals in another impressive first.

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That is is addition to chipping in with four assists – the joint-most he has mustered in a single Premier League season.

It’s expected to be a busy summer at the Emirates, with Arsenal set to announce the arrival of Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga in a £5m deal, along with Zubimendi.

While they remain desperate to bring in a new striker, with Sporting Lisbon marksman Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig starlet Benjamin Sesko being the two main options.

A new left winger is also thought to be high on Mikel Arteta’s agenda, with Real Madrid maestro Rodrygo their dream target.

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