Jorginho all but confirms his next transfer as Arsenal contract winds down

14 November 2023 , 15:07

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Jorginho all but confirms his next transfer as Arsenal contract winds down

Jorginho has suggested he is eyeing up a return to Serie A as his Arsenal contract dwindles into its final eight months.

The 31-year-old joined the Gunners from Chelsea for £12million back in January. He signed a one-and-a-half year deal and made 14 Premier League appearances during the second half of last season as Mikel Arteta's side pushed Manchester City for the title.

This term, the Italian has had more of a prominent role and he has captained the side for Arsenal's last three matches in the absence of Martin Odegaard. Jorginho's deal is set to expire next summer, and while there is an option to extend it, his future is firmly up in the air.

If Jorginho doesn't agree fresh terms, he can talk to non-British clubs over signing a pre-contract agreement in January. Jorginho, who spent almost five years at Napoli before his move to Chelsea in 2018, addressed his future while on international duty and admitted he would like a return to Serie A.

"I'm very much in doubt, I would like to return but I don't know when the right time would be," he said ahead of Italy's Euro 2024 qualifier against North Macedonia.

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"I want to return yes, but I don't know when, I feel I still have things to do at Arsenal. It always takes time when you change teams, but the first six months at Arsenal were not negative, on the contrary,"

Arsenal midfielder Jorginho has opened up on a potential move back to Serie A (Getty Images)

Jorginho has started in four of the Gunners' last five matches, including last month's 1-0 victory over Manchester City, and is benefiting from Thomas Partey's absence through injury. The ex-Hellas Verona and Napoli midfielder is beginning to find some form and he is enjoying his time at the Emirates Stadium.

Jorginho said. "Obviously, it takes time to understand the mechanisms better, Arteta gives you a billion pieces of information but I'm very happy there."

"I have grown a lot on the pitch, in experience," he added. "I changed teams, coaches, therefore more information. I understood the game even more and how to compete.

Jorginho's current Arsenal contract expires next summer (Getty Images)

"Competing does not just mean playing well, but also comes from experience. And this I try to pass this experience on to my teammates too."

Italy are guaranteed at least a play-off spot for Euro 2024, but can automatically qualify with four points from their remaining two matches, or with just a win over Ukraine. This is because Italy will have a superior head-to-head record over Ukraine, after a 2-1 victory at San Siro last month.

Italy sit three points below Ukraine having played one game less in Group C, but will move level on 13 points should they beat North Macedonia at the Stadio Olympico on Friday.

Kieran King