Arsenal 'complete £12m signing of Brentford captain Christian Norgaard'

Arsenal have reportedly completed the £12million signing of Brentford captain Christian Norgaard.

According to The Athletic, Arsenal will pay an initial £10m fee for the Denmark international with a further £2m in add ons.

Norgaard has reportedly undergone a medical ahead of the move, with the deal expected to be officially announced in the coming days.

The 31-year-old will strengthen Mikel Arteta’s midfield with proven Premier League experience and leadership qualities.

He signed a new two-year deal at Brentford in March because he did not want to uproot his family amid serious interest from Benfica.

Norgaard joined Brentford in 2019 and was hugely influential in their rise to the Premier League.

The midfielder made 196 appearances for Brentford and helped the club secure promotion in 2021.

Norgaard was appointed Brentford captain by former Bees and now Tottenham boss Thomas Frank in 2023.

Last season, Norgaard played 34 times in the Premier League and also chipped in with five goals, his highest tally for the club.

Norgaard becomes Arsenal's third signing of the summer, as Mikel Arteta's side look to take the next step, after being Premier League runners-up for the past three seasons.

Arsenal's most eye-catching addition to date is the £60m signing of Real Sociedad and Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who had been a long-term target for the club.

The Gunners have also signed Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea for £5m, with the shot stopper set to serve as David Raya's understudy.

Arsenal are also closing in on Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres in a deal worth up to £70million, with a forward having been a key priority this summer.

Chelsea winger Noni Madueke has reportedly also agreed personal terms with Arsenal ahead of a proposed move.

Norgaard and Zubimendi's arrivals come at a time of upheaval in Arsenal's midfield, following the departures of Jorginho and Thomas Partey.

Partey, who spent who spent five seasons in north London, saw his contract end on June 30.

Just three days after his contract expired, Partey was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. Partey is accused of attacking three women between 2021 and 2022.

He will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on August 5.

‘The player’s contract ended on June 30. Due to ongoing legal proceedings the club is unable to comment on the case,' a club statement read on Friday.