Arsenal close on ‘high-quality’ signing – ‘he’s perfect for Mikel Arteta
Arsenal’s summer transfer window is set to click into gear over the coming weeks after a slow start.
The Gunners are set to wrap up a number of deals, which they hope will give them the quality of squad they need to fight for the Premier League title.
Martin Zubimendi’s move to the Emirates was announced on Sunday (6 July), and Mikel Arteta’s side are also expected to add Christian Norgaard to their midfield.
The 31-year-old’s switch from Brentford is all but confirmed, with the Bees’ director of football Phil Giles revealing that the move is close to completion (BBC Sport).
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Norgaard is a quality addition for the North London side.
Norgaard provides ‘strength and steel’ in midfield
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that Norgaard is “a very high-quality player” and is “perfect” for Arteta.
The Dane has been a constant in the Brentford side since his move from Fiorentina in the summer of 2019.
Wyness added that the veteran midfielder will allow the likes of Saka and Eberechi Eze, if he makes the move to North London, to shine.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “It was initially a surprise, but then the more I thought about it, the more I realised that some of the experience that was going from the Arsenal midfield.
“Norgaard is a very, very high-quality player. I think with that sort of quality of squad around him, probably even more than Brentford, he will shine.
“I think there’s another good two seasons in him. He’s a classy player and I think he’s perfect with the experience and knowledge he has. He’s been a captain as well. I think that’s the sort of stability and the quality of personality and player that Mikel Arteta will need to build.
“If there’s going to be some flair of the Eze’s and the Saka’s, then you’re going to need that strength and iron and steel in midfield. I think Norgaard gives that, plus his quality himself.
“It wasn’t really that big of a surprise, the more I thought about it, and I think he’s a very good signing for Arsenal.”
‘Arsenal make decision on activating Eberechi Eze release clause’
Meanwhile, Arsenal are reportedly holding internal discussions about whether to activate Eze’s £68million release clause as they accelerate their summer transfer plans.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who claims that Crystal Palace will stand firm on their valuation of the 27-year-old.
The England international’s release clause will expire in the middle of August, before the start of the new Premier League season, and a decision will have to be made before then.
Football Insider revealed on 30 June that Arsenal have enquired about Eze’s availability and have held talks with his representatives over a move.
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