Arsenal transfer news: Jorginho joins Chelsea for £12m

The Gunners have agreed £12million for the 31-year-old Italian, who is set to sign an 18-month contract with the option of a one-year extension.

Jorginho is expected at Arsenal’s training ground today to undergo a medical and finalize his move.

Arsenal are desperate to sign a midfielder this month to bolster their title bid.

Mohamed Elneny is out with a knee injury and Mikel Arteta wants to strengthen that area.

Arsenal had been working to sign Moises Caicedo but Brighton insisted the Ecuador international was not for sale after rejecting two offers worth up to £70m.

The Gunners considered several other targets, including Amadou Onana, Martin Zubimendi and Youri Tielemans, but they charged Jorginho.

Relegation-threatened Everton balked at selling Onana this month.

Zubimendi, meanwhile, didn’t want to leave his boyhood club Real Sociedad amid one of their best La Liga seasons.

Leicester had no desire to sell Tielemans, who is in the final six months of his contract, as they believe he could play an important role in avoiding relegation.

Arteta is a longtime fan of Jorginho and was interested in him in 2020.

Manchester City also considered signing the Euro 2020 winner as Arteta worked there as an assistant.

Of Arsenal’s midfield goals, Jorginho proved the most feasible to make on deadline day as he is in the final six months of his contract at Chelsea.

The Blues are happy to let him go now instead of losing him for free this summer, while also freeing up a place in their squad for possible signing Enzo Fernandez from Benfica.