Declan Rice "surprised" by Arsenal teammate as Barcelona swoop to make signing

11 October 2023 , 11:12

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Declan Rice "surprised" by Arsenal teammate as Barcelona swoop to make signing

Barcelona are weighing up a move for out-of-favour Arsenal midfielder Jorginho – after Declan Rice claimed the Italian had surprised him ‘so much’ in Gunners training.

Both midfielders joined the north London club this year; Jorginho arrived in Mikel Arteta's squad in January from Chelsea while Rice became Arsenal's club record signing this summer after ending his long association with West Ham.

Jorginho has played only a bit-part role in Arteta’s side since his transfer, initially as an understudy to Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey in the line-up while he is now behind Rice in the pecking order. The midfielder has started just one Premier League campaign to date this campaign.

Jorginho, 31, has been added to Barcelona's transfer shortlist for a new deep-lying midfielder. That is according to ESPN, who outline that the Blaugrana want to bolster their midfield following the exits of Sergio Busquets and Franck Kessie this summer.

Oriol Romeu was signed from Girona but boss Xavi is keen to add another midfield player, with Jorginho among those being monitored. Bayern Munich's versatile midfielder Joshua Kimmich is also on their radar, along with Liverpool's Thiago Alcantara and Guido Rodriguez of Real Betis.

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Jorginho may not have made a notable impact in Arsenal's games but on the training pitch, he is the player who has leapt out to England international Rice. The former Hammers captain has spoken about how much he has learned from the Brazilian-born star since his switch to the Emirates.

Rice, who was speaking to Joe Cole for Channel 4, has said: “The one who surprised me so much, not surprised because I knew he was such a good player anyway. Playing with him every day in training and seeing how he is because he’s not the biggest is Jorginho.

Have Your Say! Should Arsenal allow Jorginho to leave next year? Tell us what you think here.

Jorginho has only been used sparingly by Arsenal this term (AFP via Getty Images)

“His brain, the way it works as a holding midfielder, I’ve just been trying to pick up little things off of him. He’s always in position, he always knows when to pass, always creates time for himself, he’s an outstanding trainer.”

Jorginho has made 24 first-team appearances for Arsenal since his switch from their London rivals, but many of those have come as a substitute. He previously spent seven seasons in Italian football across spells at Verona and Napoli, while he starred as the nation won Euro 2020.

Colin Millar