Jorginho makes decision after receiving £8.5m offer to leave Arsenal
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Arsenal midfielder Jorginho has turned down an offer from Flamengo and talks over a proposed move have ground to a halt.
Jorginho, 33, has racked up 70 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal since his arrival from the club’s bitter rivals Chelsea in 2023.
In that time, Jorginho has established himself as one of Mikel Arteta’s most trusted squad members and an invaluable leader in the dressing room.
But Jorginho has struggled for regular playing time this season, making just six starts in total in the Premier League, and it’s understood the Italy international has grown increasingly frustrated with his bit-part role in north London.
Arsenal convinced Jorginho to extend his previous deal by a further 12 months last summer but the midfielder’s current contract is due to expire at the end of the season and it appears he is keen for a fresh challenge away from the Emirates.
There has been strong interest coming from Palmeiras in recent weeks, although no concrete proposal has been tabled by the Brazilian outfit at this stage in proceedings.
Flamengo are widely considered to be leading contenders for Jorginho’s signature but, according to Globo Esporte, negotiations are now ‘at a standstill’ and the two camps are ‘far from reaching an agreement’.
The report claims Flamengo offered Jorginho a three-year deal worth in the region of €10million (£8.5m). However, the Brazil-born Euro 2020 winner is demanding a fee closer to €13m (£11m) over that same period.
Given there has been ‘no progress’ in discussions over the last few days, Jorginho is yet to even raise the possibility of an early release with Arsenal this January.
In fact, the Gunners have not given up hope of Jorginho putting pen to paper on another renewal, with head coach Arteta keen for the deep-lying playmaker to extend his stay.
But Arsenal have reportedly wrapped up a deal for a ready-made replacement in Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi and Jorginho’s ‘priority’ is to secure regular playing time ahead of Italy’s 2026 World Cup campaign.
'I don't want to start to have these conversations now,' Arteta responded when pressed on the future of Arsenal midfield duo Jorginho and Thomas Partey at the start of January.
'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.'
