Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has heaped praise on Arsenal's decision to sign Jorginho from Chelsea during the January transfer window.
The Gunners have agreed a deal with the Blues to sign central midfielder Jorginho, football.london understands. The experienced Italian will join the north Londoners' squad for a deal worth £10million in guaranteed fees with a further £2million in add-ons.
The former Napoli man will sign a deal at the Emirates Stadium until the summer of 2024, with the club holding the option of an extra year - a deal that Ferdinand has claimed is a shrewd one.
READ MORE: Jorginho's Arsenal shirt number options as Edu agrees shock £12m January deadline day transfer
Speaking on his YouTube channel, the ex-England international said: “I think it’s a good signing. It’s shrewd.
"I’ve been known to criticise Jorginho. And even just to clarify that, I was criticising him because the way Chelsea played at the beginning when he was there didn’t help him.
“Whatever you think of him, on the ball, he’s a fine passer of the ball, especially cutting through the lines, he keeps it ticking. I don’t see him being a starter for Arsenal, I’ve got to be honest.
“Everything I hear about him as a pro has been positive. Nothing but positive. In the changing room, he’s a leader.”
However, former Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp doesn't quite share Ferdinand's optimism on the Gunners' move for Jorginho. “No, I wouldn’t see where he would fit", Redknapp told TalkSPORT when asked about the 31-year-old's proposed move to north London.
"I couldn’t see him getting in the team. He’s obviously a top player, I mean that Arsenal team at the moment, in that starting XI there’s not many places up for grabs in that team."
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