In a shocking transfer development, it appears as though Arsenal have turned to Chelsea midfielder Jorginho as a possible alternative for Moises Caicedo.
Fabrizio Romano revealed that the 31-year-old is “an option in case Caicedo deal won’t go through with Brighton still reluctant to sell”.
Whilst the transfer guru also confirmed that Chelsea are open to selling the player, but would likely demand an “important fee.”
Arsenal ‘Approach’ London Rivals Chelsea for Jorginho
Arsenal approach Chelsea for Jorginho! It’s now an option in case Caicedo deal won’t go through with Brighton still reluctant to sell 🚨⚪️🔴 #AFC
Chelsea, open to sell Jorginho but will ask for important fee to let him leave 6 months before end of contract #CFC pic.twitter.com/ahkNSwakqC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 30, 2023
A Confusing Alternative
With the end of the transfer window edging ever closer, the Gunners appear to have accepted that Caicedo will remain a Brighton and Hove Albion player, with Jorginho emerging as a shock alternative target for the Premier League leaders.
However, it is a rather bewildering development given the drastically opposing play styles of the two players. Caicedo’s true strengths lie in the defensive phase of the game, where he is able to use his defensive awareness and intelligence to win the ball back for his team. Jorginho, on the other hand, is the polar opposite, with the Italian preferring to have the ball at his feet in order to dictate the tempo of a game.
Read More: Chelsea ‘Set to Agree’ Record Transfer Fee for Star Midfielder
At 31 years of age, he is also much older than a typical Mikel Arteta signing in recent times, with the Spaniard choosing to focus on mouldable young players – although the club’s first signing of the window, Leandro Trossard, did also break that trend to a certain extent.
Jorginho’s Chelsea Contract
The one aspect of this potential deal which does make sense is the fact that the player’s current £110,000-a-week contract is due to expire with Chelsea at the end of this season. Whilst Romano explained that the Blues would demand an “important fee” for the midfielder, he would likely still be available for a fraction of his true value.
Read More: Tottenham Hotspur Target ‘Didn’t Train’ as He Looks to Force Late Move
Jorginho, then, appears to be a more financially savvy alternative to Arsenal’s number one target Caicedo, albeit a rather confusing one.
