Arsenal are considering a bid for Chelsea midfielder Jorginho before the end of the January transfer window.
The Gunners are low on midfield options after Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny sustained injuries and, according to a report from The Athletic, have identified 31-year-old Jorginho as an option to strengthen in the position.
The premier league leaders have spent the best part of a week trying to persuade Brighton to part ways with Moises Caicedo but with Seagulls chairman Tony Bloom flat-out refusing to do business it looks as though Mikel Arteta and Edu are weighing up contingency options.
Arsenal have now expressed an interest in Italy international Jorginho. There are other names thought to be in the mix but with the transfer deadline just over 24 hours away, Arsenal are aware that time and options are running out.
Jorginho’s contract at Stamford Bridge expires in the summer, which means Chelsea are at risk of losing the 31-year-old for nothing if he does not leave on a permanent transfer in this window.
Chelsea are currently looking to bring in another midfielder before the window closes, too. They are reported to have increased their bid for Benfica star Enzo Fernandez to £105 million ($130m), having seen previous efforts to get him turned down by the Portuguese side. Graham Potter’s team could free up room for the Argentine by offloading Jorginho this month, with Conor Gallagher also linked with an exit as Everton circle.
The 31-year-old moved to Stamford Bridge from Napoli for €57 million in 2018 and has six months left on his contract; in theory, he should be available for a fraction of the price Arsenal were looking to pay for Moises Caicedo.
Arsenal will hope to have a new midfielder in place by the time they face Everton in the Premier League on Saturday. The day before that game, the Blues will face Fulham at Stamford Bridge.