Arsenal have agreed a £12 million fee with Chelsea to complete the deadline day signing of midfielder Jorginho, football.london understands.
The Gunners will pay £10 million up front for the Italy international with a further two million in add-ons depending on conditions such as whether or not Arsenal win the Premier League. The 31-year-old will join on an initial 18 month contract with the option to extend by a further year.
Mike Arteta's desire to reinforce his midfield ranks has been well-publicised throughout the January window, with Brighton and Hove Albion thought to have previously rejected bids of up to £70 million for Moises Caicedo.
READ MORE: Announce Moises Caicedo!' - Arsenal fans send Stan Kroenke and Edu transfer deadline day demand
Whilst the Ecuadorian prodigy made his desire to leave the AMEX Stadium public, Arsenal have evidently moved on to pursue other targets and look set to raid Stamford Bridge to bolster the prospect of winning a first Premier League title in 19 years.
Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka have formed a formidable partnership in midfield this season for the Gunners, though an injury to either player may have radical implications on a title charge. Subsequently, football.london takes a look at all the latest transfer updates surrounding Jorginho and his imminent move to the Emirates.
Long-standing interest
Arsenal's decision to target Jorginho, which was made after the Gunners saw an offer for Caicedo rebuffed on Friday morning, came as a surprise to many Arsenal fans. But, interest in the midfielder has stood since Arsene Wenger was the manager of the club.
Arsenal were first linked with the Italian during the 2012/2013 season. Speaking on the links at the time Jorginho said via the Mirror: "Staying here for another season would only do me good. "I feel at home here and there is great enthusiasm in this place.
"In the match against Parma there were scouts from teams like Arsenal and Chelsea. Maybe, if I continue to play well, I can see exactly what I am worth."
Jorginho would end up staying in Serie A and join Napoli. Nevertheless, the player's agent Joao Santos told an Italian radio station in November 2015: "One of the head scouts of Arsenal is well-known, and so I know he was at Marassi for the Napoli match. If Napoli receive an irrefutable offer for Jorginho in January then it’s normal that we’d make our assessments."
Medical details documented
A medical for Jorginho has been arranged, with Arsenal close to completing a deal according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano. Romano even added his seal of approval to the deal accompanying his trademark "here we go" to a Tweet which contained details of the deal.
He wrote: "Jorginho to Arsenal, here we go! Deal agreed on £12m fee, Chelsea accept conditions and documents are being prepared.
Personal terms agreed, contract until 2024 with option further year. First contact revealed yesterday night — medical booked. Arteta, key factor."
Ball is in Arsenal's court
Romano has also gone on record to claim Jorginho is open to joining Arsenal, with a potential deal now down to the Gunners.
Whilst he outlines that Jorginho had previously planned to return to Italy, where he turned out for both Hellas Verona and Napoli, a short move across London is not deemed a problem for the player.
Speaking to Caught Offside, Romano said: “Caicedo remains the priority but Brighton have absolutely no plan to change their stance, it’s really difficult.”
“Jorginho is another option on the table; Serie A return has always been his priority, but he’d be open to join Arsenal. It’s up to Arsenal, if they want to proceed or not; he’s one of the players they have been considering in the last ten days.”
Arsenal warned off signing
Former Rangers and Scotland striker Ally McCoist believes that Arsenal should avoid signing Jorginho due to the Italian's lack of mobility.
While such concerns have been voiced following his move to West London in 2019, Jorginho played a major part in Chelsea's UEFA Champions League and Europa League triumphs in 2021 and 2019, respectively.
“Not a good move for Arsenal,” McCoist told talkSPORT Breakfast. “There is some of that (the fact that I am a Chelsea fan). He’s not mobile or has high enough energy for Arsenal, at this moment in time.
On Jorginho being a bench player at Arsenal he added: “Are you telling me that you are signing from my team, as bench players? Is this what it’s come to?! Wow! Wow! (on the tables turning between Chelsea and Arsenal). Why would you sign him?!
“You have to sign players that would strengthen your team, if you can. I know you want a squad of 18.”
Not the preferred target
football.london understands Arsenal made Caicedo their top target and sporting director Edu had hoped to seal an agreement for the Ecuador international instead of completing a deal for Jorginho.
Brighton, though, stood firm and held their own amid interest, ultimately rejecting at least two bids from Arsenal for the player. Edu lodged a £60million bid on Friday before trying his luck again with a £70million offer on Sunday.
The likelihood of Jorginho swapping West London for North London continues to increase, with football.london understanding that Brighton do not want to sell Caicedo before Tuesday's 11pm transfer deadline.
READ NEXT:
Moises Caicedo to Arsenal transfer hope, Jorginho interest, Cedric exit, Youri Tielemans doubt
Camavinga or Mitoma announcement, Caicedo signs - Arsenal's best and worst transfer deadline day
Four players tipped to sign for Arsenal on deadline day including Moises Caicedo and Declan Rice
Find the footballs on the football.london website to win cash prize, vouchers and TV worth £3,000
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
