After failing to sign Brighton's Moises Caidedo, Arsenal have reportedly agreed to rope in Chelsea star Jorginho on a 12 million-pound fee.
On the last day of the January transfer window, Arsenal reportedly agreed to pay a fee of 12 million pounds for Chelsea star Jorginho after failing to sign Brighton's Moises Caicedo. According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, terms have been agreed between the two London clubs, with the 31-year-old set to sign a one-and-a-half-year deal at the Emirates.
Jorginho to Arsenal, here we go! Deal agreed on £12m fee, Chelsea accept conditions and documents are being prepared 🚨⚪️🔴
Personal terms agreed, contract until 2024 with option further year.
First contact revealed yesterday night — medical booked.
Arteta, key factor. pic.twitter.com/JHm1rMTzxw
The Italy international had six months left on his contract at Stamford Bridge, and there were no signs of a new deal being agreed upon. The possibility of Enzo Fernandez joining the Blues would have further push the former Napoli player down the pecking order.
Mikel Arteta needs midfield recruits after losing Mohamed Elneny to what looks to be a long-term injury, leaving cover for first-choice Thomas Partey bare. Reports have stated that the Spaniard is a huge fan of the Italian and was also a key factor in the deal.
Jorginho arrived at Chelsea from Napoli for 57 million euros in 2018 and has made over 210 appearances for the club.
The move for Jorginho came after Arsenal spent the day debating whether to submit a third offer for Moises Caicedo out of concern that doing so may sour their relationship with Brighton.
Also read: Man City fans go berserk as Joao Cancelo gears up for shock loan move to Bayern Munich
The Gunners submitted a second bid for Caicedo on Sunday worth 65 million pounds plus an additional 5 million pounds in add-ons after their initial offer of 60 million pounds was rejected.
Brighton was unequivocal that they did not want to sell the Ecuadorian before the current offer, and their position has stayed the same. The Gunners decided to investigate a swoop for Jorginho because they realised they must act soon. After all, the transfer window closes on Tuesday.
However, Arsenal fans do not seem pumped with the north London club's decision to move for Jorginho. Old footage of a howler by the Chelsea star during a game against the Gunners in May 2021, which led to Emile Smith Rowe scoring a goal, has gone viral.
𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹ising 👊 | pic.twitter.com/cs9Y2tcCdQ
— Arsenal (@Arsenal)"Is this the liability you want to sign for Arsenal? Please don't," said one fan of the club, while another angry supporter added, "Keep this s*** out of my club."
A third fan pleaded, "Arsenal please stay away from this fraud," while a fourth added, "Stay away from Chelsea players. All terrible right now. If he was any old they wouldn't let him go."
Here's a look at some of the other reactions on Twitter:
Thank you, Jorginho 💙 pic.twitter.com/ORh7emtq9S
— Chelsea Videos That Go Hard (@HardChelseaVids)Arsenal closing in on agreement for Jorginho. Understand he has been given permission to travel to Arsenal this morning to finalise his move while the two clubs put the finishing touches on the deal. Not signed yet, but looking increasingly like it will happen.
— Charles Watts (@charles_watts)There is something special about Arterta “he knows exactly what he wants
— Jamie🌙 (@ValentJamike)Lmao it would be so embarrassing if Arsenal sign Jorginho, you’re fucking top of the league yet you’re still buying your rivals deadwood 😭
— Trey (@UTDTrey)The moment agent Xhaka opened talks with Jorginho. pic.twitter.com/RNW4W7NcuL
— Bradley Sikolia (@bradysikolia)Jorginho letting every arsenal player in their entire existence of a club try on his Champions League, Super Cup, and Club World Cup winners medals pic.twitter.com/WTVbfhGtXb
— BIG PEO (@iwearnicejeans)🔴⚪️ | If Mikel Arteta was the one pushing for the Jorginho deal, then we have to back him - he’s earned it👍 pic.twitter.com/naoeXz4TEB
— Punch Drunk Arsenal (@PunchDrunkAFC)Jorginho to arsenal, we've seen this story before🤭 pic.twitter.com/3TIl0gXE6T
— tommy.hooper (@tommy_hooper5)⚽ 90.5% of Jorginho's goals in the Premier League have come from the penalty spot pic.twitter.com/0pw0EPKCKX
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored)“Mikel Arteta is a big fan of Jorginho.” [] pic.twitter.com/p2yI1LXZQA
— AFTV (@AFTVMedia)Todd getting £15 million for Jorginho with 6 months left on his deal pic.twitter.com/o6bbRqFMir
— Kaz #EnzoDay (@CFCKaz6)Jorginho is on his way to Arsenal for £12m. I think that is a good deal despite Chelsea fans broadly having mixed feelings about him. https://t.co/r0jsBocyP5
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella)