Arsenal have made an initial bid for a defensive midfielder who was rumoured to be on Tottenham Hotspur’s shortlist. The Gunners are looking for a replacement for Thomas Partey, who is likely to leave when his contract expires at the end of the month.<\/p>\n
Arsenal have submitted a bid of around \u00a39.3 million for Brentford’s Christian Norgaard, according to David Orstein of the Athletic<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Brentford captain currently has two years left on his contract, having been at the club for the past six years, joining from Fiorentina.<\/p>\n Sam Tabuteau from the Standard<\/a> has suggested that Norgaard wants to play Champions League football and favours a move to Arsenal.<\/p>\n This will come as a blow for Thomas Frank, who had high praise for Norgaard and was keen on being reunited with his former captain.<\/p>\n He previously described Norgaard<\/a> as a “late bloomer” and had lots of positive things to say when his contract was renewed in April this year.<\/p>\n Frank said<\/a>: “A big reason why we have done okay is our culture, and N\u00f8rgaard is a big driver of that, on and off the pitch. At a club, there will always be transition of players in and out but it’s also important to have some stability.<\/p>\n “He’s also performed very well, maybe this season is his best so far.<\/p>\n “Sometimes, you don’t see it or recognise it as much when you are a holding midfielder, but he is so important in terms of breaking up play, interceptions and playing forward when you win the ball back.”<\/p>\n Read More:\u00a0<\/strong>Bayern Munich Eye Shock Move for Arsenal Attacker After Contact Made<\/a><\/p>\n Having already lost Jorginho, Arsenal may also see Partey depart in this summer.<\/p>\n The Ghanaian is set to leave on a free if he cannot agree a new deal with the Gunners. It is understood that Arsenal offered a salary reduction for Partey, but with less than a week to go, Norgaard is one of the options for replacing Partey.<\/p>\n Partey recently spoke to the press about his next career move. He cited family as an important factor for his next step.<\/p>\n He said: “We are not getting younger. There are a lot of things where you have to look now with a family, where you want them to be happy. When you are young you just play anywhere.<\/p>\n “I’m an Arsenal fan, I can’t decide anything and just have to leave it to my agent and the club. Me, I just want to enjoy football.”<\/p>\nPartey Still Yet to Sign New Arsenal Deal<\/h3>\n