Norgaard Rumour Grows As Sarri Waits For Reinforcements Another Midfielder

Lazio’s winter window search for a new midfield reference point has taken another interesting turn. With the clock ticking toward deadline day, the Biancoceleste are reportedly monitoring Arsenal midfielder Christian Norgaard, a player currently on the fringes in North London. Lazio’s need is clear: they have yet to bring in a direct replacement for Matteo Guendouzi, who departed for Fenerbahce in the first week of January, even after the arrival of Kenneth Taylor from Ajax.

Lazio moved quickly to add Taylor, but Maurizio Sarri has made it clear the Dutchman is not Guendouzi’s replacement. The coach is still pushing for another addition, and he is hoping Claudio Lotito and sporting director Angelo Fabiani can land a midfielder who truly strengthens the department before the window closes. That search has now linked Lazio to Norgaard, a name that, on paper, brings experience and reliability.

According to Caught Offside, Lazio are among the clubs keeping tabs on Norgaard’s status at Arsenal, where he has struggled to carve out a major role this season.

The report claims Ajax are currently the most serious suitors and have already made initial contact to try to finalize a deal for the 31 year old. Lazio are not alone either: Roma are also mentioned as another Italian club that has placed the midfielder on their list.

Arsenal, for their part, are said to have placed a valuation in the region of €15 to €17 million. Norgaard’s contract in North London runs until June 2027, with an option to extend for an additional year, so the Gunners are not under immediate pressure to sell.

Norgaard’s path has been a steady climb. A Lyngby academy product, he has featured for Hamburg and Fiorentina before building his reputation at Brentford, where he joined in 2019. After six years in west London, he earned a move to Arsenal last summer, but the step up has also meant tougher competition.

With Arsenal boasting what is widely considered one of the strongest midfields in Europe, the Denmark international has been limited to 11 appearances in all competitions this season, mostly coming off the bench.

This is where the story gets complicated for Lazio. Norgaard is most comfortable as a defensive midfielder shielding the back line, a role that does not always align perfectly with Sarri’s blueprint. The Lazio coach typically prefers a deep lying playmaker (regista) as the team’s reference point in build up play, rather than a pure ball winner sitting in front of the defence.

This season, Danilo Cataldi has stepped up as Lazio’s main regista, especially with Nicolo Rovella sidelined by a groin injury. That context matters: if Sarri is asking for a Guendouzi type midfielder, the profile is not automatically a match, and it could explain why Lazio’s search appears to be stretching across different types of players.