Arsenal have learned what they must pay Chelsea amid claims a deal to sign Italy midfielder Jorginho is drawing closer on Transfer Deadline Day.
The Gunners are desperate to add another body to their central midfield as they chase the Premier League title. Mikel Arteta’s side have been outstanding so far this season and hold a five-point buffer on reigning champions Manchester City at the top. However, they can afford precious few mistakes if they are to end that 19-year title drought.
In order to maximise their chances, Arteta has used the January window to good affect. So far, they have brought in a new defender in Jakub Kiwior. And their attack has been boosted with the addition of Belgian winger Leandro Trossard from Brighton.
However, signing a new midfielder has so far proved elusive.
Indeed, the Gunners have seen two bids rejected already for Brighton star Moises Caicedo. And while the player himself has begged for the move, Arsenal have found the Seagulls a tough nut to crack.
Their second bid is believed to have been around the £70m mark, though clearly still not enough for Brighton.
And with Arsenal considering just how much to spend on the Ecuadorian, a number of cheaper alternatives are being considered.
Indeed, this article here looks at every midfield player linked to the Gunners so far in the January window.
One other name on the list is Everton’s impressive Belgian star Amadou Onana. With a price tag of around £50m, it remains unsure if Arsenal see him as a genuine alternative to Caicedo.
However, one man who is very much on their agenda is Jorginho.
The Chelsea midfielder will be out of contract come the summer and has so far failed to agree a new deal.
Arsenal learn Jorginho transfer cost
The former Napoli man has been linked with the likes of Barcelona and former club Napoli with his contract running down.
However, both Romano and David Ornstein revealed on Monday that the Brazilian-born Italy international is on their radar.
And talk appears to be mounting that a cross-London switch – a highly controversial one at that – could go through on deadline day.
Now Romano has revealed the Blues are open to his possible sale. And rather than lose him on a free in the summer, it seems Chelsea are willing to negotiate after naming their price.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano claims there is a chance that Arsenal can sign the 31-year-old.
“Jorginho, important news. Arsenal are interest in Jorginho as one of the options in case Moises Caicedo deal will collapse. Arsenal are looking for options and Jorginho is one of them. Not the only one, but one of the players they are considering.
“Chelsea are open to let him go, but it has to be for an important fee. From what I understand around £15-20m. This is what Chelsea want for Jorginho.”
To further their chances, Ornstein on Tuesday morning claimed a deal to bring Jorginho to Arsenal is ‘advancing’. Furthermore, he suggests it is the most likely outcome on for the Gunners on deadline day.
And a separate report from talkSPORT claims Arsenal now have permission to speak with Jorginho after agreeing a fee.
Any funds Chelsea generate for Jorginho will go straight back into their funds needed to sign Enzo Fernandez.
