Arsenal are close to completing a £12m deal to sign the Chelsea midfielder Jorginho after accepting they will not convince Brighton & Hove Albion to sell Moisés Caicedo.
Mikel Arteta has been looking to add depth in midfield after losing Mohamed Elneny to a knee injury and has decided to move for Jorginho after failing with two bids for Caicedo. Negotiations with Chelsea have progressed quickly and the Italy international, who is out of contract at the end of the season, is set to undergo a medical before joining Arsenal. The fee is a guaranteed £10m with the rest in add-ons.
The deal is likely to suit both parties. Chelsea, who are poised to break the British transfer record by paying more than £100m for Benfica’s Enzo Fernández, will receive money for a player who could leave for free in the summer. Arsenal, who have offered Jorginho an 18-month deal with the option of an extra year, will hope that signing a player of the 31-year-old’s experience will boost their title push. Arteta admires Jorginho and tried to sign him in the summer of 2020.
Arsenal had placed much of their focus on trying to buy Caicedo but had their latest offer of £70m for the Ecuador midfielder turned away. Chelsea remain interested in Caicedo but Brighton, who have sold Leandro Trossard to Arsenal this month, are determined to keep the 21-year-old.
Brighton’s stance has forced Arsenal, who will still target West Ham’s Declan Rice in the summer, to look elsewhere. Arteta, whose side are top of the league, lacks cover for Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka. There is a lack of trust in Albert Sambi Lokonga at the moment. Partey picked up a minor injury during Arsenal’s defeat by Manchester City in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
In that context it is easy to see why Jorginho appeals. The midfielder has often divided opinion at Chelsea but he played a key role in them winning the Champions League in 2021. He also helped Italy win Euro 2020.
There could be more outgoings at Chelsea. Paris Saint-Germain are poised to sign Hakim Ziyech on loan. Crystal Palace, Everton and Newcastle are interested in Conor Gallagher.
