Arsenal are considering a move for Chelsea midfielder Jorginho, football.london understands. The Gunners are in the market for a midfielder before the January transfer window closes on Tuesday evening following a long-term injury to Mohamed Elneny.
The links came after news that the Gunners saw a £60million offer for Moises Caicedo rebuffed on Friday morning, football.london understands and reports on Sunday evening claimed that a second offer in the region of £70 million was then lodged by technical director Edu.
Edu's reported decision to target Jorginho came as a surprise to many Arsenal fans. But, interest in the midfielder has stood since Arsene Wenger was the manager of the club.'
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Arsenal were first linked with the Italian during the 2012/2013 season. Speaking on the links at the time Jorginho said via the Mirror: "Staying here for another season would only do me good," Jorginho told the Italian press in October 2013. "I feel at home here and there is great enthusiasm in this place.
"In the match against Parma there were scouts from teams like Arsenal and Chelsea. Maybe, if I continue to play well, I can see exactly what I am worth."
Despite links to teams in the Premier League, Jorginho would end up staying in the Serie A to join Napoli. It was here when the player's agent Joao Santos told an Italian radio station in November 2015: "One of the head scouts of Arsenal is well-known, and so I know he was at Marassi for the Napoli match. If Napoli receive an irrefutable offer for Jorginho in January then it’s normal that we’d make our assessments."
Interest ended when Jorginho signed a new contract with Napoli in December 2015, but Wenger still reportedly remained interested in him, but never a got a deal over the line. Eight years later, however, Arteta has an excellent chance to complete the former Gunners boss' mission.
With Arsenal in desperate need to sign a midfielder before the January transfer window slams shut at 11pm today, Jorginho seems to be a strong contender to bolster Arteta's options in the midfield.
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