Socceroo giant’s $26m transfer to former PL champions, Arsenal fans crumble after signing another refusal from Chelsea
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Socceroo Harry Souttar, who was outstanding during the World Cup campaign late last year, has become Australia’s latest Premier League player with a move from Stoke City to former champions Leicester.
Ahead of an expected confirmation by the club, the decision was confirmed by the BBC on European football’s transfer deadline day.
Stoke wanted Souttar to stay but Leicester’s fierce pursuit for the 24-year-old intensified this week.
Stoke manager Alex Neil said on Sunday after the FA Cup win over Stevenage that he expected Souttar to stay as negotiations between the two clubs stalled.
Leicester submitted the offer on Monday morning and Brendan Rodgers added Souttar to Victor Kristiansen and Tete as the third new arrival at the King Power Stadium this window.
Meanwhile Arsenal, rebuffed in a bid to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton for a club-record fee, have signed Chelsea league and Champions League winner Jorginho on an 18-month deal worth of $21 million.
The Gunners are five points clear at the top of the league and have midfield issues with Thomas Partey and Mo Elneny under clouds of injury.
The Italian is continuing a line of Chelsea players past their expiration date to come to the Emirates – think David Luiz, Willian, Petr Cech and William Gallas. The news was greeted with expected sadness by Arsneral fans who have seen the Blues grab two of their top targets in Joao Felix and Mykhailo Mudryk this window.
Jorginho is set to become Arsenal’s third signing for the January window, with the club previously buying Polish defender Jakub Kiwior from Spezia for €20m (£17.6m) and Belgian striker Leandro Trossard, who left Brighton for £21million.
Jorginho scored 29 goals in 213 appearances for Chelsea, winning the Champions League, Europa League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup during his time at the club.
The midfielder was born in Brazil but moved to Italy aged 15 and opted to play for the Azzurri at international level.
He has 46 international caps and was part of the Italian squad that beat England to win Euro 2020 at Wembley in July 2021.
Sports Grp2
