Arsenal fans were left in shock when reports of their interest in Chelsea midfielder Jorginho emerged on Monday evening.
It is believed the Gunners are considering a late swoop to sign the Italy international, 31, after failing to agree a transfer fee for Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo. Chelsea could allow Jorginho to join Arsenal if they sign Benfica's Enzo Fernandez for £115million.
A move to Emirates did not seem on the cards for Jorginho a few days ago, but Arsenal have actually been linked with the midfielder before. There were even a serious transfer talks between the player's representatives and the Gunners in the summer of 2020.
Arsenal's first attempt to sign Jorginho came nearly a decade ago, when the now-iconic midfielder was a little-known star at Italian minnows Hellas Verona. He gained their attention after Hellas achieved promotion from Serie B during the 2012/13 campaign.
Jorginho brought his good form into Serie A - scoring seven league goals from midfield during the first half of the 2013/14 season - and then Gunners boss Arsene Wenger was interested in bringing the 21-year-old to the Emirates. Yet the player had other ideas.
"Staying here for another season would only do me good," Jorginho told the Italian press in October 2013. "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."
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Three months later, however, Jorginho's spell with Hellas was over. He joined Napoli in January 2014 and quickly made a name for himself with the Italian giants - winning the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana within a year of his transfer.
That led to Arsenal reigniting their interest in Jorginho. 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."
Speculation was quashed when Jorginho signed a new contract with Napoli in December 2015, but Wenger remained interested in him. There were even rumours of a failed Arsenal bid in July 2015 - believed to be in the region of £15m.
Jorginho would eventually be prized away from Napoli in July 2018, but Wenger was no longer in charge of Arsenal at that point - nor did the Gunners have much chance of signing him. By that point, he was an Italy international with big admirers.
Manchester City were expected to complete a deal for Jorginho, but Pep Guardiola's side pulled out of the race late on. Chelsea took advantage by snapping up the 26-year-old - a move that proved to be one of the best transfers in their recent history.
"I am absolutely ecstatic to be here at Chelsea," said Jorginho at the time. "It is not easy to become part of such a big team so I am very, very happy. I am excited to play in such an intense league for a team that gives everything to play and win."
Jorginho has enjoyed plenty of success at Stamford Bridge. He has played more than 200 games for the Blues and won four trophies - including the Champions League and Europa League. He has also featured in three FA Cup finals and two Carabao Cup finals.
Jorginho has even tasted success with Italy - helping them win Euro 2020. His success at club and international levels saw him named as the UEFA Men's Player of the Year in 2021, a prize that confirmed his legacy as one of the best central midfielders of his generation.
Yet in the summer of 2020, there were doubts among Chelsea's hierarchy over whether Jorginho was the real deal. Rumours suggested the Blues were willing to let him leave Stamford Bridge and a move to Arsenal was even being considered.
"I believe that every player is open to negotiations," Jorginho admitted to reporters in Brazil in October 2020. "So I believe there was something they talked about. And in the end it was decided that I remain here. Now my head is here."
There was no disputing that Jorginho was firmly focused on Chelsea, but times have changed. The Blues are rebuilding a new squad made up of young, promising talent - with Jorginho tipped to leave sooner rather than later. His contract expires this June.
Furthermore, Arsenal need a central midfielder to cover for Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey ahead of their Premier League title battle with Manchester City. Mikel Arteta's side are five points ahead of Guardiola's champions with a game in hand.
Normally, Chelsea would be unwilling to sell a player to Arsenal because of their rivalry - but there is not much of a battle between the two clubs this season. The Blues are 10th in the table and will not be competing with the Gunners for the title.
If there was ever a time for Jorginho to join Arsenal, it is now. Gunners fans may want a younger, more promising player - such as Caicedo - but an experienced head to see them through the next four months could be exactly what they need.
Jorginho's transfer saga with Arsenal is a long one, but it may just have a happy ending.
