Arsenal have agreed on a £12 million deal with Chelsea for Jorginho, with the Italian international set for a medical.
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed Arsenal’s move for Jorginho, with the Gunners agreeing to a £12 million deal with Chelsea. The Italian international will travel to north London to undergo his medicals and seal the move before today’s deadline.
Arsenal have secured the signature of Jorginho ahead of the transfer deadline. Mikel Arteta wanted a midfielder in this window and as secured the Italian international’s services.
The interest in Jorginho only emerged late on Monday after Arsenal could not find a breakthrough with Brighton & Hove Albion for Moises Caicedo. The Seagulls have stayed adamant about keeping the Ecuadorian international for the remainder of the season.
Arsenal were expected to launch a third bid after having two earlier offers rejected by Brighton. With time running out in this window, the Gunners have swept up for Jorginho from Chelsea, who has only six months remaining on his contract at Stamford Bridge.
Jorginho to Arsenal, here we go! Deal agreed on £12m fee, Chelsea accept conditions and documents are being prepared 🚨⚪️🔴 #AFC
Personal terms agreed, contract until 2024 with option further year.
First contact revealed yesterday night — medical booked.
Arteta, key factor. pic.twitter.com/JHm1rMTzxw
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 31, 2023
There were doubts about whether he had a long-term future at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea are also closing in on Enzo Fernandez after advancing in talks with Benfica over the last two days. Hence, they were open to selling Jorginho to Arsenal, despite potentially helping the Gunners in the title push.
Arsenal and Chelsea have now agreed on a £12 million fee for the midfielder. Jorginho will sign an 18-month deal with the option of a further season. Arteta reportedly convinced the board that the Italian would prove a wise addition.
The Gunners always wanted someone to cover or compete with Thomas Partey in central midfield. They have already lost Mohamed Elneney to injury. And Arteta does not trust Albert Sambi Lokonga to cover the position sufficiently. Adding someone with the nous of Jorginho will prove crucial in the context of the title race for Arsenal.
Jorginho is set to travel to north London to undergo his medical and seal the move to Arsenal before tonight’s transfer deadline. Whether the Italian international is the ideal midfielder to help the Gunners in the title push remains the question. But his experience is all that matters here.
