- Arsenal is said to have made a breakthrough in their negotiations with Chelsea for midfielder Jorginho
- Mikel Arteta has been known to be eager to sign a new central midfielder throughout the January transfer window
- Arsenal had wanted to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton & Hove Albion
Arsenal is said to have made a breakthrough in their negotiations with Chelsea for midfielder Jorginho.
Mikel Arteta has been known to be eager to sign a new central midfielder throughout the January transfer window, particularly in light of Mohamed Elneny’s injury problems.
Arsenal had wanted to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton & Hove Albion, but the Seagulls refused to sell the Ecuador international.
Arteta looks to strengthen the midfield
Mikel Arteta has been looking to strengthen his midfield PHOTO: HITC
On Monday evening, reports surfaced that the Gunners had made a surprise bid for Jorginho, who has been with their London rivals Chelsea since 2018.
The 31-year-contract old’s expires in the summer, and there has been little discussion of renewal with the Blues looking to make significant changes to their senior ranks.
While personal terms were said to be unimportant, it was widely reported that the two clubs had yet to agree on a fee, with Chelsea allegedly seeking more than £15 million.
Nonetheless, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano believes a compromise has been reached, with Chelsea accepting a £12 million offer.
Jorginho is now expected to sign a contract extension at the Emirates Stadium until 2024, according to Romano.
The transfer is expected to be finalized before the 11 p.m. deadline if the Italy international passes a medical later on Tuesday.
The Euro 2020 winner has been granted permission to travel across London to put the finishing touches on a deal before tonight’s deadline.
Arsenal is believed to have paid an initial fee of £10 million for the Italy international, with a further £2 million potentially paid in add-ons. Jorginho will now have a medical before completing his surprise move across the capital, signing an 18-month contract with a one-year extension option.
Chelsea had been looking to strengthen their position with FFP before potentially signing Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez for around £105 million.
If Jorginho leaves Stamford Bridge, it is likely that Conor Gallagher, who has been linked with several Premier League clubs, will stay with Graham Potter’s squad.
Jorginho to sign an 18-month contract
Jorghinho set to join Arsenal.|PHOTO: UEFA|
The 31-year-old midfielder is expected to sign an 18-month contract with a one-year extension option.
The Italian is in the final six months of his Chelsea contract, and the Blues are attempting to sign Benfica central midfielder Enzo Fernandez in a British record transfer.
Arsenal attempted to sign Jorginho under Mikel Arteta in the summer of 2020, the year before the midfielder won the Champions League and European Championships with Italy.
Arteta was also an assistant coach at Manchester City when they tried to sign him in 2018, but Jorginho chose to join Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea instead.
Arsenal has had two bids for Brighton’s Moises Caicedo rejected, the second for £70 million, and remain interested in the Ecuador international and ready to make a deal if the South Coast club change their stance.
Meanwhile, according to reports on Tuesday, Arsenal is negotiating a loan deal for Sambi Lokonga with Crystal Palace.
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