Arsenal summer transfer 'verbally AGREED'

Tom Weber

Updated: 23 Feb 2025 14:51 GMT
3 min read

Arsenal midfielder Jorginho has 'verbally agreed' to join Flamengo, but his family has doubts about the move, according to Brazilian media.

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The Italy international has seen his importance to Arsenal drastically diminish in recent times as Mikel Arteta has favoured Declan Rice and Thomas Partey as his midfield options.

Jorginho has played fewer than 500 minutes of Premier League football so far this season and looks set to leave the Gunners when his contract expires at the end of the campaign.

Over the past few weeks, the 33-year-old has been heavily linked with a return to the country of his birth, Brazil, with Rio de Janeiro giants Flamengo persistently courting him.

Flamengo had initially sought to complete a winter move, but Arsenal blocked the mid-season exit of Jorginho, forcing the Serie A side to open talks over a pre-contract agreement instead.

Jorginho agrees move - but 'family pressure' could derail deal

According to RTI Esporte, Jorginho has 'verbally agreed' to join Flamengo on a free transfer in the summer, but there are still some concerns over the move.

The Brazilian outlet reports that 'family pressure' could yet force the veteran to reconsider. It is thought that his family would prefer to remain in Europe as they supposedly 'feel safer' there.

Despite being born in Brazil and living in the South American nation until age 15, Jorginho has never played professionally in the country of his birth. He is in a relationship with English singer Catherine Harding and the two have a son together.

The report claims that Jorginho could 'back down' and renege on his agreement with Flamengo to remain in Europe. A potential return to Italy has also been mooted for the former Chelsea and Napoli midfielder, although the outlet does not mention specific clubs.