Arsenal are in advanced talks with Flamengo over a deal that would see Jorginho sign for the Brazilian club before the Club World Cup, it has been claimed. The Gunners confirmed on Wednesday that Jorginho, 33, would leave the club when his contract expires at the end of this month.
He is expected to make the move to Flamengo and they want to sign him before the Club World Cup, with their first game taking place on June 17 against Tunisian side ES Tunis.
The summer transfer window opened on June 1 and is set to close on June 10 before re-opening six days later. That is so clubs competing in the Club World Cup can register players to be involved for the tournament.
And according to the Evening Standard, Arsenal and Flamengo are in advanced negotiations over an agreement for Jorginho to join the Brazilian outfit before the end of his contract with the Gunners.
Liverpool and Real Madrid came to a similar agreement to allow Trent Alexander-Arnold to compete for Los Blancos at the Club World Cup, with the Reds receiving a fee in the region of £8million.
The amount Arsenal are expected to receive for Jorginho is unclear, but a deal is anticipated to go through before June 10. It would mean that he can compete during group stage matches at the Club World Cup against ES Tunis, former club Chelsea and Mexican side Leon.
Jorginho joined Arsenal for £12m from London rivals Chelsea in January 2023. He made 16 appearances during the second half of that season and almost helped the Gunners over the line in the Premier League title race, though they ended up missing out to Manchester City.
He was a more prominent figure for the 2023/24 campaign and played 36 times across all competitions, helping Mikel Arteta’s side launch another Premier League title push.
Last season, however, Jorginho’s game time limited. He was restricted to 27 matches and started just nine in the top flight. The decision has since been made to see him move on this summer.
Although Jorginho’s game time was reduced last season, Arteta has remained a fan and continued to praise the Italian. After a 2-0 win against Manchester United in December, Arteta lauded Jorginho for his contribution to be prepared and ready to help the team when needed.
“That is his quality,” Arteta said at the time. “I always mention his biggest quality is his capacity to make others better. Last season was the same.
“At the start there was less games, we don’t play that many midweek matches and he had less minutes. But I told him to be ready because there is going to be a time, and it is not going to be in one week you have to play, you are going to play now or tomorrow. The way he prepares is top so when he needs to play he is ready.”
