Arsenal have made a move for Brentford captain Christian Norgaard. 

The Bees are under attack since losing head coach Thomas Frank and three of his backroom staff to Tottenham.

Manchester United are closing in on forward Bryan Mbeumo, and now Arsenal have designs on Norgaard as they explore options for reinforcing midfield in case Thomas Partey does not sign a new contract.

Partey has been offered new terms by Arsenal, but nothing has been agreed, and his current deal expires in five days.  

Norgaard, a 31-year-old Denmark international, signed a new two-year deal at Brentford in March amid interest from Benfica.

He is tied to the club until 2027 and wants to keep his family settled in London but would love the chance to move to Arsenal and end his career challenging for titles and competing in the Champions League.

The Emirates club are exploring a deal worth an initial £10million, with a possible £5m in performance related add-ons.

Norgaard, who hasn’t been a long-term target for the Gunners, is now on the club’s radar as they seek experience in midfield ahead of Partey’s potential departure.

Boss Mikel Arteta and new sporting director Andrea Berta are limbering up for an ambitious summer of trading at the Emirates Stadium.

They are expected to sign Spain international Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad for £55million as a replacement for Jorginho, who moved at the end of his contract to Flamengo in Brazil.

Norgaard has years of Premier League experience, having joined Brentford in 2019 and has been hugely influential in their rise from the Championship under Frank, for whom he also played earlier in his career at Brondby and in the Denmark youth ranks.

Frank is also keen to lure Norgaard to North London, although Spurs will find it more difficult to justify such an outlay of more than £10m for a player in his 30s while committed to a policy of signing young players under technical director Johan Lange.

For Norgaard, Frank’s exit may provide a natural end point. 

They have worked so closely for so long, although it will be a severe test of Brentford’s policy of not standing in the way of their players if they have a chance to progress.

Meanwhile, Keith Andrews is closing in on the head coach role at the G-Tech Stadium in the wake of Frank's departure.