Arsenal and Chelsea have agreed a deal for Jorginho worth £12million ($14.8m).
The 31-year-old is expected at Arsenal’s training ground today, having also agreed personal terms with the north London club. The deal is still subject to a medical.
Jorginho will sign a contract with Arsenal until 2024, with the option of a further year.
The north London club decided against pursuing a move for Moises Caicedo.
The Athletic reported last night that Arsenal were instead exploring a possible move for the Italy international. The Premier League leaders are very light on cover for first-choice holding midfielder Thomas Partey, with Mohamed Elneny absent through injury. Mikel Arteta has driven the deal for Jorginho.
« This is seen as a short-term signing which won’t have any impact on Arsenal’s ability to invest in a midfielder in the summer. »@David_Ornstein & @AdamLeventhal provide context around #AFC signing Jorginho for £12m, after the club’s unsuccessful pursuit of Moises Caicedo. pic.twitter.com/Cz7hEoOizV
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) January 31, 2023
Arsenal have chased Brighton’s Caicedo throughout the window, but the south coast club are adamant they will not sell him.
They turned to Jorginho, whose contract at Stamford Bridge expires in the summer. This means Chelsea were at risk of losing him for nothing if he did not leave on a permanent transfer in this window.
Chelsea are trying to push through a move for Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez before tomorrow’s deadline, which would push Jorginho further down the pecking order in west London.
Jorginho would provide Arsenal with significant experience as they try to win the title this campaign. He has won the Champions League and Europa League with Chelsea, while he also won the European Championship with Italy in 2020.
Follow transfer deadline day with The Athletic
The January transfer window shuts at 11pm GMT (6pm ET, 3pm PST) on Tuesday, January 31 — and our reporters will bring you all the news and analysis from the Premier League and across Europe as clubs scramble for late reinforcements.
Keep track of the Premier League business done so far, get the latest from David Ornstein on the deals in the pipeline and read our club-by-club guide to the moves that could yet happen.
Follow deadline day with our dedicated live blog and join us in the newsroom via our socials @TheAthleticFC as we bring you live feeds at 8am and then 10pm for the crucial final moments of the winter window.
(Photo: Getty Images)
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