Transfer news: Arsenal close in on deals for Norgaard and Kepa

Christian Norgaard could be added to the Arsenal ranks. File picture: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Arsenal have offered an up-front £9.3m for Brentford’s captain, Christian Nørgaard, as they attempt to secure a replacement for Thomas Partey and are poised to sign Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea this week.

Arsenal’s bid for 31-year-old Nørgaard is at an advanced stage and a deal is expected to be agreed.

Partey, whose contract expires next week, has yet to decide on his future having been offered a new deal on slightly reduced terms but looks increasingly likely to leave. It is understood that Arsenal have identified Nørgaard as a player who could add experience to Mikel Arteta’s squad after the departure of Jorginho for Flamengo.

Their offer for the Denmark international, who has been at Brentford since 2019 and played more than 120 games in the Premier League, is believed to be worth up to £15m including add-ons. Nørgaard has two years on the contract extension he signed in March.

The departure of the head coach Thomas Frank, a compatriot, for Tottenham and and the opportunity for Nørgaard to play in the Champions League mean Arsenal received encouragement that the Dane is willing to join them and the transfer looks likely to be wrapped up swiftly.

Brentford are expected to appoint Keith Andrews as Frank’s successor, having agreed a deal with their set-piece coach.

Nørgaard would be expected to compete for a place with the Spain midfielder Martín Zubimendi, who is due to complete his £35m move from Real Sociedad next week.

Partey is believed to have offers from Saudi Arabia and Turkey and has been linked with Barcelona and other Spanish clubs in recent weeks.

France's Paul Pogba will join Monaco. File picture: Daniel Cole/AP

Arsenal have agreed to pay Arrizabalaga’s £5m release clause. The 30-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Bournemouth, remains the world’s most expensive goalkeeper having joined Chelsea for £72m from Athletic Bilbao in 2018. He will vie with David Raya for the No 1 jersey.

Paul Pogba is poised to return to football with Monaco after the conclusion of a doping ban. The France international has a agreed a two-year deal with the Ligue 1 club and will undergo a medical this week.

The 32-year-old last played a competitive game for Juventus in September 2023 before receiving a four-year suspension after testing positive for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). 

Pogba appealed against the length of his ban, which was reduced to 18 months, and has been free to play since March.

Pogba, who has 91 caps, attracted interest from clubs across the world after agreeing to terminate his Juventus contract last November. 

Sides from MLS and Saudi Arabia made overtures but the midfielder decided it would be best to restart his career in Monaco, who hope the deal will be concluded this week.

Meanwhile, Rangers have announced the signing of defender Max Aarons from Bournemouth on a season-long loan deal.

Chelsea have reopened negotiations with Borussia Dortmund over winger Jamie Gittens as both clubs look to find an agreement.

Dortmund previously rejected a £42m offer from Chelsea for the 20-year-old a fortnight ago and are expected to return with an improved bid.