Ex-Chelsea defender in talks to convince Arsenal star to leave this January

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Flamengo have opened talks with Jorginho in a bid to sign the Arsenal midfielder on a free transfer.

Jorginho’s current contract is due to expire in the summer and negotiations over a possible extension at the Emirates have not yet taken place.

Having initially convinced Jorginho to extend his previous deal for a further 12 months last May, the club are now resigned to losing the 33-year-old, with potential suitors beginning to make their interest known.

According to Globo Esporte, Brazilian side Flamengo are the latest team to join the race for Jorginho’s signature and have been ‘analysing the numbers’ with a view to offering the veteran Italy international a three-year deal.

Though Jorginho is able to sign a pre-contract agreement at this stage, it’s claimed Flamengo are working to capture the Euro 2020 winner immediately and are ‘counting on’ the player’s good relationship with Arsenal to make this a possibility.

For this to happen, Arsenal would have to agree to release Jorginho from his contract early. The report states the Gunners have indicated this could be feasible to save themselves from forking out another six months of wages.

Jorginho is said to have spoken with Flamengo head coach Filipe Luis – the former Chelsea defender – over a proposed switch to Rio de Janeiro, with a video call taking place involving the duo and a club director.

Flamengo have identified Jorginho as a potential long-term replacement for Chile holding midfielder Erick Pulgar, who is unlikely to continue with the club beyond the end of the season.

Palmeiras have also been credited with a strong interest in Jorginho in recent weeks, though no concrete proposal has been tabled by the Sao Paulo-based outfit as yet.

'I don't want to start to have these conversations now,’ Arteta said when quizzed on the future of Jorginho and Thomas Partey last week.

‘I want to have these conversations much later because the focus has to be on what we have to do in the season

'They can understand the intentions and then we can see what we can do.

'But it's two players that I am very, very happy with. They are such a value in the squad.

‘I want to keep them as well with the right mind frame, because the most important part of the season is coming now.'

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