Osimhen brings Arsenal star to Galatasaray?

Carlo Garganese

• 10 Sept 2024 13:30 BST
• 3 min read

Victor Osimhen is trying to use his influence to bring Arsenal veteran Jorginho to Galatasaray.

The Turkish side completed the surprise transfer of the summer last week as they signed Osimhen on a one year loan from Napoli.

But with the Turkish summer transfer window not closing until 13 September, Galatasaray are not finished yet with their business.

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They are hoping to sign a central midfielder before the market closes, and have already seen moves for Man Utd duo Scott McTominay and Casemiro fail.

Manchester United sold McTominay to Napoli during the final week of the Serie A window, while Casemiro opted to snub a move to Istanbul in favour of remaining at Old Trafford.

According to TuttomercatoWeb, Galatasaray are now trying to sign Jorginho, with Osimhen and a former Napoli teammate of Jorginho, Dries Mertens, using their influence to try and convince the midfielder to join.

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Jorginho is willing to listen as he has not played for Arsenal yet this season, sitting on the bench in all three Premier League games.

Jorginho at Arsenal

The Italo-Brazilian, who won Euro 2020, joined Arsenal from Chelsea in January 2023 and enjoyed a good season last term.

He signed a one-year contract extension in May and although his existing deal is now due to expire in 2025, manager Mikel Arteta is eager to retain the Italian.

Arteta still considers him a key player at the Emirates Stadium and he could make his first appearance of the campaign versus Tottenham Hotspur.

Arsenal are facing something of a selection crisis in midfield, as Declan Rice is suspended, while Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino are injured.

Jorginho made 36 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring one goal and providing two assists.

He started all three of Italy’s group stage games at Euro 2024, but was an unused substitute during their 2-0 defeat to Switzerland in the last-16.

Now 32, his Italy career is likely over with manager Luciano Spalletti now using other players in central midfield like Samuele Ricci of Torino.