Arsenal now want to repeat Declan Rice transfer trick as shock Thomas Partey replacement candidate emerges

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Arsenal are now eyeing up replacements for Thomas Partey, who is expected to leave the Emirates this summer.

Partey has been offered a new Arsenal contract, but the Ghanaian is reluctant to put pen to paper as he isn’t satisfied with the proposal on the table.

The midfielder was reportedly expecting a pay rise, which the Gunners aren’t willing to offer him as they see him taking more of a backseat next season after the arrival of Martin Zubimendi.

Zubimendi is set to sign from Real Sociedad, but Arsenal will need to add one more if Partey goes, given Jorginho has already left North London this summer.

Arsenal Insider revealed last week that Lucien Agoume is on Arsenal’s radar, but another potential option has now emerged.

• READ MORE: Confirmed Arsenal summer 2025 transfer ins and outs, signings and done deals

Arsenal interested in signing Brentford’s Christian Norgaard

Andrea Berta may ultimately opt for a more experienced and Premier League-proven option than Agoume, in Christian Norgaard.

Brentford are being raided this summer, with Thomas Frank and Bryan Mbeumo both departing, while the likes of Yoane Wissa and Nathan Collins have also been linked with exits.

Arsenal could get in on this fire sale, with the Mirror reporting that the Gunners are interested in signing Norgaard as a Partey replacement.

Norgaard has been with the Bees for six years now, establishing himself as a dependable midfielder at Premier League level, and may be happy to make the step up to a squad role at a top club as he approaches the latter stages of his career.

If Arsenal were to pull off a deal for him, he’d be the first Premier League captain to be bought by the Gunners since Declan Rice, with the last one before that being Sol Campbell from Tottenham in 2001.

The Mirror suggest he’s high on the North Londoners’ list of potential Partey replacements, as the West London club may be open to allowing him to exit for a cut-price fee.

Christian Norgaard’s statistics

A surprise link, given his age and the lack of noise surrounding him, but one that makes some sense.

Arsenal will lose a lot of experience in Partey and Jorginho’s departures, and thus, could do with adding another veteran midfielder who has a proven track record of performing in the English top flight.

With funds needing to be reserved for strengthening Mikel Arteta’s forward line, pursuing a cheap move for midfield depth would be an astute decision from Berta.

As shown by the data above, Norgaard profiles similarly to Partey, producing similar levels of defensive output.

While Partey’s numbers suggest he’s better on the ball, the Brentford man could see his passing attributes improve in a more possession-oriented side at Arsenal.

Ultimately, Norgaard fits the bill of being a sensible and convenient deal for the Gunners to do this summer, even if it’s not a move that excites the club’s fanbase in a way that Agoume would.