Arsenal are set to bolster their midfield ranks in the final day of the January transfer window as football.london understands a deal has been agreed with London rivals Chelsea to sign Jorginho. The move is worth £10million in guaranteed fees with a further £2million in add-ons.
The Italian international is set to sign a contract that will take his stay until summer 2024, with the club holding the option of an extra year. The switch adds immediate quality in depth to Mikel Arteta's squad heading into the latter half of the Premier League season, with a title push on the cards.
"We’ve been pretty active," the Spaniard said on his club's activity in the January window so far. "We have some necessities and if something else is available the club is willing to try to do it when it’s reasonable and hopefully it’s a player that can improve our squad."
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With Jorginho signing on a short-term deal, it shows the ambition of the Gunners as they look to cross the line for a first Premier League title in years. However, questions remain over whether the move for the 31-year-old will impact any other interest in midfielders for the future.
With Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny all at the latter end of their peak years, the need for long-term solutions may be present in the future. So despite the move for Jorginho, football.london understand that the Gunners still hold a keen interest in signing West Ham star Declan Rice in the summer and the incoming midfield addition won't impact their interest.
The 24-year-old has continued to impress for both club and country and with his contract situation dwindling, an exit from the Hammers seems likely. "100 per cent," Rice said earlier this season when asked if he felt Arsenal were capable of winning the title.
"They are a top team. You can see they are coached incredibly well, have a lot of attacking talent, a young squad and they can go the whole way for sure."
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