Arsenal are set to sign Chelsea star Jorginho in a £12million January transfer deadline day move, football.london understands. The Gunners made an offer of £10million guaranteed while there's £2million in add-ons included, with the 31-year-old set to sign an 18-month contract with a club option of an extra year.
For the Blues it could prove to be wise business, with the Italy international reaching the final few months of his contract at Stamford Bridge. With the need to bring money into the club after a transfer spending spree and with a shift of focus to younger players, the move works for Chelsea.
As for Arsenal, there's a need for strength in depth when it comes to the squad as a whole, already adding the likes of Leandro Trossard and Jakub Kiwior to their ranks this month. However, following an injury to Mohamed Elneny, the side required another midfield body, with Jorginho offering just that.
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Former Liverpool defender and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher believes it could be a huge move for the Gunners, saying: "They have a problem in midfield. So far they have been fortunate that the two main guys [in midfield] have played all season without being injured.
"They needed to bring someone in and they were going for Caicedo but they cannot get that one done at Brighton, so they have had to look at other players. Jorginho is interesting and I can understand it.
"Arsenal play so quick and fast and he is the opposite, I get that. But I also think when there is only 10 games to go, in the pressure moments when the nerves are coming on, he could be a really good signing in terms of slowing things down, cool heads.
"He has won Champions League, European Championship in the last few years. He is a top player. I’m not saying he is the man for Arsenal week in, week out forever but I think he could help towards the end of the season when things get nervous.”
It's something that former Arsenal man Paul Merson agrees with, adding: "I think outstanding [deal for Arsenal], I think outstanding, you're buying experience as well, you know he's experienced and he's won big trophies.
"He is a proper holding midfield player, we were only talking about two years ago when they [Chelsea] won the Champions League, Italy won the Euros, we're going 'why don't England produce one of these players?'
"Two years on Arsenal could be getting him, I know he's two years older, but he's so intelligent, he'll protect the back four and he just gives it simple. He'll be feeding Odegaard, he'll be feeding Saka, Martinelli, for me he's a top signing and he knows the game, he knows he won't be playing every week.
"He knows if everybody's fit then he won't be playing, but he will bring that experience and calmness, he never panics on the ball and for me in this day and age with transfers, I'd call it a cup of tea at £12million."
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