English Premier League leaders Arsenal have completed the signing of Chelsea’s Italian playmaker Jorginho. According to reports, the North London club has agreed to a £12m deal with Chelsea for the midfielder.
The 31-year-old, who joined Chelsea from Napoli in 2018, is into the final six months of his contract at Stamford Bridge. He will now have a medical before signing an 18-month contract with the option of a further year.
Arsenal turned their attention to Jorginho after having two bids rejected by Brighton for Moises Caicedo. Brighton says Caicedo is not for sale and it looks increasingly likely the Ecuador midfielder will remain at the club after the 11 pm deadline.
Jorginho is Arsenal’s third signing of the January window, the club having previously bought Poland defender Jakub Kiwior from Spezia for 20m euros (£17.6m) and Belgium striker Leandro Trossard, who moved from Brighton for £21m.
The club is five points clear at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand on the sides immediately below them. Jorginho has scored 29 goals in 213 appearances for Chelsea, winning the Champions League, Europa League, Uefa Super Cup and Fifa Club World Cup during his time at the club.
He was born in Brazil but moved to Italy at the age of 15 and opted to play for the Azzurri at the international level. Capped 46 times, he was part of the Italy side that beat England to win Euro 2020 at Wembley in July 2021.