Arsenal Set to Begin Contract Talks With Italian Midfielder Jorginho

According to recent reports, Arsenal are set to begin negotiations regarding a contract extension with midfielder Jorginho. The Italian’s contract is expiring at the end of the season and the North London side are looking to offer him a new deal to retain his services.

In the last few months, the 32-year-old has helped the North Londoners make a charge for the Premier League title this season. He has beautifully blended with the team and provides the much-needed control in midfield alongside Declan Rice in the absence of Partey.

Jorginho joined Arsenal in January 2023 on an 18-month contract. The Gunners initially signed him as a make-shift midfielder but his standout performances have swayed the club to consider holding on to his services beyond his current contract period.

Jorginho, Arsenal, contract extension — Image Obtained Via Arsenal

According to Football London, Arsenal are preparing to open contract negotiations with Jorginho before his current deal expires this summer. The club are looking to offer him a one-year extension, with the option to extend his deal for another year.

The Italian has featured in 42 games for the Gunners and scored once and assisted twice during his time at the Emirates (stats via Transfermarkt). His brilliant performances have made a significant impression on the Gunners boss Mikel Arteta.

Also, the major plus point in retaining him is his experience which is easily visible on the pitch. His technical ability coupled with his calmness has helped the North Londoners keep control and balance in midfield this season. Arteta knows that he requires such a sharp and experienced midfielder in his squad.

🗣️| @FabrizioRomano: “Arsenal will speak to Jorginho’s agent in the next weeks, there will be conversations about his contract. Jorginho’s agent confirms that Arsenal will have their priority, he'd be happy to stay at the club but of course we have to see how these conversations… pic.twitter.com/0bMZp6R1kJ

— Arsenal Buzz (@ArsenalBuzzCom) March 4, 2024

The Italian midfielder was adjudged the Man of the Match in Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Newcastle United. He also shone in the 3-1 win over Liverpool. While interacting with the media after the win against the current Premier League leaders, Arteta spoke about Jorginho, his importance, value, quality, and more (via GOAL):

“(He was) Unbelievable,‘I always say that he’s an example, a role model.“

“He’s been in a lot of pain because he’s had an issue he’s been carrying for months. He didn’t want to stop, he’s been playing with that. He’s been training, always the first one in and the last one out.

“For all the kids at the club, if you want to look at somebody, just look at him. He’s won everything but if you ask him not to play or play one minute last week he’s happy to go there.

“Ask him to play 90 minutes at that rhythm and he’s able to do that. I’m really lucky to have players like this.

“It’s a game that I had in my mind. I was imagining how much we were going to need him. He’s a really intelligent player, his biggest quality is that he makes the people around him better.

“He connects everybody. I think he was man of the match.”

Player Profile

The Brazilian-born central midfielder moved to Italy at the age of 15 to begin his professional career with Serie A club Hellas Verona. In 2010-11, he joined six-tier side Sambonifacese on a season-long loan. He returned to Verona at the end of the season and stayed there till January 2014.

The real break in Jorginho’s career came when he joined Napoli in 2014. His abilities and prowess were on full display at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium as he won the Coppa Italia and the Supercoppa Italiana with the club.

This is why his transfer to Chelsea earned the Gli Azzurri €50m. The 32-year-old moved to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2018 after playing 160 games for the Serie A side. He won the Champions League and the Europa League during his four-and-half-year stint at Chelsea before joining Arsenal in January 2023.He also won the Euro 2020 with Italian national team.

Jorginho has featured alongside Declan Rice in the middle of the park in most of the games this season. He took Thomas Partey’s place in the playing XI, as the Ghanaian midfielder has been plagued with injuries. The Spanish manager understands the importance of having an experienced midfield star in the squad.

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