Christian Nørgaard is reportedly close to leaving Arsenal after only one season in north London, with Everton said to have reached an agreement in principle for the midfielder.

The Athletic reports that Everton have struck a $9.4 million (£7 million) deal for the 32-year-old. If the move is completed, Nørgaard is due for a medical next week before heading to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The midfielder is expected to fill the vacancy left by Idrissa Gueye. Although his time at Arsenal has been brief, his 20 appearances last season and his spell as Brentford captain underline that he remains a proven Premier League option. At Everton, he should face less competition for a regular role than he did at the Emirates Stadium.

His possible departure may also have wider consequences for Arsenal’s summer plans. The club have spent much of the window pursuing Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimarães, with bids of £55 million ($73 million) and £70 million ($93.2 million) already turned down. Newcastle value the midfielder at around £93 million ($124 million), while reports now claim Arsenal are prepared to go to £80 million ($107.5 million) in an effort to bring him to north London.

Guimarães is believed to be open to the move, and that feeling has reportedly grown stronger following Eddie Howe’s departure. There had been concern about committing such a large fee to a 28-year-old when Arteta already has several midfield options, but Nørgaard’s exit would create more room in the squad.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal are now set to “accelerate and close” a deal for the Newcastle midfielder as soon as possible. If that happens, he would join Martin Ødegaard, Martín Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Mikel Merino, Eberechi Eze and Ethan Nwaneri in Arteta’s midfield group.

For Arsenal, Nørgaard’s sale would not rank among the biggest moves of the summer. Even so, it may be the opening that allows a much larger transfer to move ahead.

The Premier League remains a ruthless place for managers, and the 2026/27 season begins with that reality clearer than ever. A summer of upheaval has left dugouts across the division occupied by a fresh wave of appointments, while one club is still waiting to name a new head coach.

At the top of the list, Mikel Arteta stands alone as the league’s longest-serving manager. Appointed by Arsenal on Dec. 22, 2019, he has outlasted every other current rival and remains comfortably ahead of the pack. Behind him comes Unai Emery, who has been in charge of Aston Villa since Nov. 1, 2022, followed by Daniel Farke, who took over Leeds United on July 4, 2023.

Further down the rankings, the turnover becomes even more obvious. Régis Le Bris and Fabian Hürzeler both arrived in July 2024, while Frank Lampard, David Moyes, Sergej Jakirović, Keith Andrews and Michael Carrick all joined their clubs during 2024 and 2025. The list then tightens further still, with a cluster of appointments made only months before the new campaign.

There are notable cases throughout. Roberto De Zerbi, hired by Tottenham Hotspur on March 31, 2026, sits just outside the top 10. Michael Carrick is inside it after first being named interim Manchester United boss in January and then permanently hired in May. At the other extreme, Álvaro Arbeloa is the latest arrival, taking charge of Fulham on July 7 after an unsuccessful spell as Real Madrid boss.

A number of other clubs have also changed course recently, including Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Nottingham Forest, Ipswich Town, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth. Over half the division has turned to new managers in 2026 if Newcastle United are included, with the club still yet to appoint Eddie Howe’s successor.

For now, Arteta remains the benchmark for staying power in a league that rarely gives managers much time.

Jack Grealish’s Manchester City situation remains unresolved, with the winger absent from the club’s preseason group despite having reported for the start of training this month.

The 2025-26 campaign saw Grealish spend the season on loan at Everton, although an injury in January ended his year early. He is now rebuilding fitness at RCD Mallorca’s facilities in Spain, while the rest of City’s available squad has travelled to Hong Kong to start their tour of east Asia.

Even once he is fully fit, reclaiming a regular place may be difficult. His squad number was reassigned last summer after Rayan Cherki arrived from Lyon, and 2026-27 is the final season of his contract. With Grealish due to earn more than €20 million this season, it would make financial sense for City to secure a sale if he is not expected to play a meaningful role.

A 12-month loan or a permanent move for a modest fee are both possible, though either route would still leave City absorbing a major loss on a player who cost a club-record fee in 2021, around $133.5 million at today’s rate.

There are still clear footballing reasons why interest could exist. Grealish was central to City’s 2022-23 treble-winning side, and Pep Guardiola later said he wanted the old ‘Treble Grealish’ back. He also showed renewed sharpness at Everton, ending August with four assists and collecting the only Premier League Player of the Month award of his career so far.

A return to Everton would not be without logic, especially if the club loses Iliman Ndiaye to Saudi Arabia. Aston Villa could also re-enter the picture after raising substantial funds when City triggered his release clause five years ago. Villa fans have since booed him, but the chance to mend that relationship, and fill a creative and leadership gap left by Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans, may appeal.

Saudi Arabia remains an obvious route for elite players, with Al Ahli mentioned as a possible destination. In Europe, Napoli stands out in Serie A, while AC Milan could also be in the frame if Rafael Leão is sold. Atlético Madrid is another possible fit, given Diego Simeone’s preference for hard-working English players and Grealish’s willingness to work without the ball.