Jorginho speaks out on Flamengo transfer as Arsenal midfielder arrives in Rio de Janeiro
03/19/2025 08:48 AM
Arsenal midfielder Jorginho was evasive over a transfer to Flamengo after arriving in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday.
The 33-year-old is out of contract with Arsenal at the end of the season and could leave the Gunners on a free transfer in the summer if a new agreement is not reached.
Flamengo have already registered their interest in Jorginho and failed with an attempt to sign him in the January transfer window.
The Brazilian club have retained their interest and Jorginho’s agent was in the stands last weekend to watch the team win the Campeonato Carioca at the Maracana.
With the Premier League paused for the first international break of 2025, Jorginho has now travelled to Brazil with his wife but when approached by reporters outside the airport in Rio de Janeiro, the midfielder insisted he was only there on holiday.
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When asked about a possible move to Flamengo, Jorginho replied: ‘We’ll see what happens.’
Flamengo, meanwhile, are aiming to have Jorginho signed in time for the start of their FIFA Club World Cup campaign which begins against ES Tunis on June 17.
‘Right now, the ball is in his court,’ Flamengo’s sporting director Jose Boto told Vene Casagrande this week.
‘He usually treats the ball well. I hope he treats it well so that it is better for him and for us. In other words, he will come to Flamengo.
‘If everything goes well, he will play in the World Cup for Flamengo. The league ends in May, the players change clubs and there is an agreement between the clubs to release the players as soon as the season ends.’
In an interview with ESPN Brasil, Jorginho revealed that he is keen to experience playing for a top club in Brazil.
The midfielder was born in Imbituba but made his professional debut for Verona after moving to Italy at the age of 15.
‘I don't think I missed it. But I'm curious, today, to know what it's like, to experience it. But for my growth, playing professionally was not a problem,’ said Jorginho.
‘What helped me was when I was a child, for my growth. In Brazil it's a different thing. I played barefoot in the street, on the beach. I believe it helped me a lot in the growth of contact with the ball.’
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