Arsenal close to signing £12 million deal for Jorginho after dropping hopes for Caicedo

Arsenal has accepted they will not be able to persuade Brighton & Hove Albion to sell Moisés Caicedo and is now close to finalising a £12 million deal to recruit Chelsea midfielder Jorginho.

After failing in two attempts to acquire Caicedo, Mikel Arteta has chosen to go for Jorginho in order to bolster the midfield after Mohamed Elneny was forced to miss time with a knee injury. The Italian international, whose contract expires at the end of the season, is scheduled to have a medical before joining Arsenal after negotiations with Chelsea moved rapidly. The price is a guaranteed £10 million plus further payments.

Both sides stand to benefit from the agreement. Chelsea will be compensated for a player who may be allowed to depart for free in the summer by spending more than £100 million to sign Enzo Fernández from Benfica. The 18-month contract that Arsenal has extended to Jorginho with the possibility of an additional year is part of their effort to strengthen their title chances. Jorginho is admired by Arteta, who attempted to sign him in the summer of 2020.


Chelsea is still interested in Caicedo, but Brighton is determined to hold onto the 21-year-old after selling Leandro Trossard to Arsenal last month.


Arsenal will still be interested in Declan Rice of West Ham, but Brighton's attitude has pushed them to seek elsewhere. Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka are not covered by Arteta, whose team is currently leading the league. Right now, Albert Sambi Lokonga is not well-trusted. During Arsenal's FA Cup fourth-round loss to Manchester City, Partey suffered a minor injury.

It is simple to understand why Jorginho appeals in such a setting. The midfielder at Chelsea has frequently caused controversy, yet he was crucial to their 2021 Champions League victory. Additionally, he contributed to Italy's triumph at Euro 2020.

There could be more departures from Chelsea. Hakim Ziyech is about to complete a loan deal with Paris Saint-Germain. Conor Gallagher is coveted by Crystal Palace, Everton, and Newcastle.

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