Transfer Centre

Arsenal weighing up deadline day move for Chelsea's Jorginho?

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 31 January 2023

Arsenal weighing up deadline day move for Jorginho?

Arsenal are reportedly exploring the possibility of luring Chelsea midfielder Jorginho to the Emirates Stadium on transfer deadline day.

Mikel Arteta has publicly expressed his desire to sign a new central midfielder before Tuesday's 11pm transfer deadline, amid concerns over the injury sustained to Mohamed Elneny.

One of their primary targets has been Brighton & Hove Albion star Moises Caicedo, but the Gunners have been left frustrated in their pursuit of the 21-year-old as they have seen two bids of £60m and £70m respectively rejected by the Seagulls.

Caicedo is keen to "take up this magnificent opportunity" and move to the Premier League leaders, but Brighton insist that the £100m-rated midfielder is not for sale this month.

According to The Mirror, Arsenal may turn their attention to Jorginho and will consider making a late offer to sign the Chelsea man, who could be allowed to leave Stamford Bridge for the right price.

Jorginho scores from the spot for Chelsea on October 11, 2022 © Reuters

Chelsea's willingness to part ways with Jorginho comes at a time when the West Londoners are pushing to secure the services of Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez, and are prepared to spend a British-record transfer fee in excess of £105m.

The likes of Barcelona, Newcastle United and former club Napoli have previously been credited with an interest in Jorginho, but Arteta's Arsenal are the latest team to emerge as a potential suitor for the Italy international.

The 31-year-old has spent the last four-and-a-half years at Stamford Bridge since moving from Napoli in 2018, scoring 29 goals in 213 appearances across all competitions.

Jorginho has started 20 of his 25 games so far this season, but he now faces an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge as his contract is due to expire at the end of the season.

The midfielder revealed last month that he is keen to stay at Chelsea, albeit insisting that he remains focused on performances on the pitch, telling talkSPORT: "Of course I do, I love Chelsea, but this is a thing I'm not going to think about now. I need to think about winning games. Otherwise it's a problem.

Jorginho celebrates scoring for Chelsea on August 6, 2022 © Reuters

"I'll focus game by game and then we'll see what's going to happen, but my mind is on Chelsea now and trying to win as many games as possible."

Meanwhile, Jorginho's agent Joao Santos confirmed last month that the midfielder would prefer to stay at Chelsea, telling reporters: "Jorginho's contract expires on June 30, we have a renewal proposal and we give priority to Chelsea.

"Napoli represented our home in Italy, [Napoli sporting director Cristiano] Giuntoli greatly appreciates the boy, for us it is a special club. If there was a new interest, we would be happy, but at the moment Napoli have not had contact with us."

Jorginho has won four trophies during his time at Chelsea, lifting the Champions League, Europa League UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.

Another player out of contract in the summer who has been linked with a switch to the Emirates is Leicester City's Youri Tielemans, although it is understood that a move for the Belgium international is more likely to take place at the end of the season when he is due to become a free agent.