Meanwhile, Fulham and Bournemouth are both in the picture for European qualification, sitting four and three points behind fifth-placed Chelsea respectively.

It could be a busy summer on the transfer front for all three clubs and, with said target set to be out of contract at the end of the season, a scramble could ensue.

READ MORE: What Everton are now hoping to do with David Weir as Dan Ashworth stance revealed

Everton, Fulham and Bournemouth keen on Brentford captain Christian Norgaard

TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that Brentford face a battle to keep hold of captain and midfield stalwart Christian Norgaard.

The Denmark international is out of contract at the end of the season, but Brentford have opened talks over a new deal.

Bees manager Thomas Frank is keen to retain his captain, but we can reveal that there is interest in the 30-year-old midfielder.

We are told that Everton, Fulham and Bournemouth could all be ready to make offers for the Dane – who has amassed more then 100 Premier League start for the Bees.

There is also interest in Germany with Mainz and Freiburg amongst those who are keen.

What Christian Norgaard could bring to Everton, Fulham or Bournemouth

Norgaard has been a key player for Brentford since his 2019 move from Fiorentina for just under £3million.

He has clocked up 185 competitive appearances for the Bees, registering 11 goals and 16 assists in the process.

Norgaard is a tenacious, all-action midfielder who ranks highly on a number of defensive metrics.

However, Norgaard also contributes in attack, as shown by his decent percentile when it comes to non-penalty goals and touches in the opposition box.

Scouting outlet Breaking the Lines wrote back in 2022: “After spells in Denmark, Germany and Italy, Christian Norgaard has emerged as a crucial cog in midfield for Thomas Frank’s Bees.

“A tenacious player coming into his prime years, Norgaard fills a void in the Premier League left by the aging N’Golo Kante and Fernandinho.”