Arsenal made a significant move to strengthen their midfield in the transfer market, with the club completing a Deadline Day move for Chelsea’s Jorginho in a deal worth £12 million.
The 31-year-old Italy international joins the Gunners on an 18-month agreement, with an option to extend for a further year, as the club looks to bolster their midfield ahead of a potential Premier League title push.
Jorginho was nearing the end of his six-month contract with Chelsea. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta had been keen to land the midfielder since the summer of 2020 after winning the Champions League with the Blues and the European Championships with Italy in the previous season.
Arteta had previously tried to sign Jorginho while assistant coach at Manchester City in 2018, but the player instead opted to join former Blues boss Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea from Napoli.
Meanwhile, Arsenal has loaned Albert Sambi Lokonga to Crystal Palace and cannot sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton, despite making two bids in the final week of the January window.
The club also has injury concerns over Thomas Partey, who is currently out with a rib injury, while Mohamed Elneny is also ruled out with a ‘significant’ injury.
The signing of Jorginho is vital for Arsenal as they look to build on an impressive first half of the season and challenge for the Premier League title.
The midfielder is a versatile player who can fill several roles in the midfield, and his experience should prove invaluable in the Gunners’ push for silverware this season.
It’s undoubtedly a signing that the Arsenal supporters have received well, and Jorginho hopes to make an immediate impact in his new surroundings.
Arsenal’s midfield now looks in a much stronger position, and with the addition of Jorginho, the Gunners could be serious title contenders come the end of the season.