Norgaard and Kepa concern, Sesko and Gyokeres timeline and Arsenal transfer question answered

The transfer window is well underway for Arsenal this summer, with deals for several targets being discussed by the club. Across various positions, sporting director Andrea Berta has wasted no time in getting stuck into talks, and the club could confirm three deals before the players return for pre-season training.

There is a sense of dissatisfaction, however, in the speed at which other deals are taking to get done which reflected in our Wednesday Q and A session. There were further queries about the situation regarding Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko and surrounding the potential deal for Christian Norgaard.

With so much transfer chat going on it felt like the time for a Q and A session with our chief Arsenal correspondent Tom Canton. Here are some of the highlights.

Question: What can we expect in terms of sales from Arsenal? Players like Zinchenko, Jesus, Kiwior don't have an obvious role and haven't cut it for most of the last 18 months. Is there a plan to move them on or find higher quality backup than those guys?

Tom Canton: Zinchenko certainly looks set to leave this summer. However, with Gabriel Jesus injured, his sale is particularly difficult and he is not expected back until the end of the year, where perhaps a January exit occurs unless there is yet another injury crisis in the position.

Jakub Kiwior gained a lot of fans for his efforts at the back end of last season and proved to be an asset. I expect he will go only if Arsenal receive a very good offer - there is known interest from Germany and Italy.

Fabio Vieira and Reiss Nelson are the other two. They are expected to leave on permanent moves this summer if the club can find suitors.

Question: What are you hearing about Thomas Partey?

Tom Canton: This has truly been quite the up and down saga over the past six months. From it appearing that Partey would be leaving the club in June to finding out just over a couple of months ago that the club were indeed in talks about a renewal that was progressing positively to now again a switch to the likelihood being he leaves.

The lesson in this should be that despite all the evidence pointing one way, any outcome remains possible in the market of transfers and contract negotiations. For now, especially with news surrounding Norgaard, Partey's exit appears the most likely outcome.

Question: How much can Norgaard realistically be gotten for?

Tom Canton: Arsenal's first offer just below £9m should give a good indication that a realistic fee should be in the £10m-£15m range. That to me seems a fair price.

Question: Hey, what do you personally feel on the Sesko Gyokeres saga and who do you think will finally make the move to the Emirates?

Tom Canton: What a saga this is proving to be. Sesko is to my knowledge the preferred candidate but that is not to say the club do not appreciate Gyokeres, their interest in the Swede dates back to before the summer of 2024.

The difficulty with Sesko looks to be agreeing a deal which Arsenal see as appropriate and that is why this remains ongoing. Gyokeres' situation is also not simple as Sporting CP want to maximise the sale despite suggestions of a gentleman's agreement with the player for this summer.

Right now, you could flip a coin. We do not have an indication yet which way it will fall but we do know the club are conscious of getting it done as soon as possible, ideally before preseason.

Question: There is no need to bring in Norgaard who is 30 years old even if he is cheap?

Tom Canton: Replacing Thomas Partey's experience is important, especially having already lost Jorginho this summer. Having a balance in the team will be key and Norgaard has both the experience and the quality to help Arteta's side next season.

Question: Kepa is also around 30s. There is a need to bring somebody who can be very active for at least 3 seasons or more. There is a need for Gunners to change their policy in landing high-rated players, which means also big spending on wages?

Tom Canton: Regarding Kepa, at 30 years of age, this is a prime period to bring in a goalkeeper. With his experience and level in the Premier League and Champions League, and for only £5million, the club have not only brought in a great option for the price but also given themselves room to spend elsewhere on greater priorities than had they spent the approximate £20million being asked for Joan Garcia last summer.

Join the football.london Arsenal WhatsApp channel

Join our Arsenal WhatsApp channel and get all the latest breaking news, opinion, podcasts and in-depth stories from football.london's dedicated Arsenal writers straight to your phone!

By following this free service you will be the first to know the news from the Emirates Stadium as it happens, when it happens.

To join our dedicated Arsenal channel, all you have to do is click this link and you can join thousands of others following our Gunners coverage!

If you're curious, you can check out our privacy policy here.