‘Unbelievable’ Arsenal star Mikel Arteta’s ‘lucky to have’ fond of transfer exit route

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Jorginho is ready to consider a return to Serie A in the summer unless Arsenal award the midfielder a new contract, amid interest from Juventus in striking a free transfer.

The 32-year-old is now in the final months of his terms at Emirates Stadium and can explore potential moves abroad. Arsenal only awarded Jorginho an 18-month contract when sealing his transfer from Chelsea in January 2023. But his deal includes the option for a further year.

Now, according to Calciomercato, the Gunners are considering activating the clause to keep the Italian in north London through 2024/25. But Jorginho is prepared to look fondly on his return to Serie A after six years if Mikel Arteta’s squad choose to let him leave on a Bosman.

Juventus target Jorginho as Arsenal consider a new contract

Jorginho has suitors in Serie A, with Juventus interested in signing the former Hellas Verona and SSC Napoli star. The Bianconeri are eager to strengthen their engine room with a player of his talent for next season. But Jorginho is not currently looking at anything past this term.

Winning with Arsenal is the only thing on Jorginho’s mind as Arteta’s team fight to win their first Premier League title since Arsene Wenger’s 2003/04 Invincibles. The Gunners also trail FC Porto 1-0 after the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie before Tuesday’s clash.

Jorginho hopes to help Arsenal further their Premier League and Champions League dreams to also convince Luciano Spalletti to include the 50-cap technician in Italy’s Euro 2024 team. Only after the European Championship will the Imbituba, Brazil native consider any transfer.

Luciano Spalletti initially axed Jorginho from the Italy squad

Spalletti initially dropped Jorginho from the Italy squad after replacing Roberto Mancini last September. But he recalled the midfielder for their November fixtures and also started him in both Euro 2024 qualifiers against North Macedonia and Ukraine to finish in second place.

Jorginho fell out of the Azzurri camp having only started this season as a bit-part presence in Arsenal’s engine room. He started two of his seven outings in 10 Premier League fixtures to the end of October. Yet Jorginho captained Arsenal against Newcastle United and Burnley.

Mikel Arteta feels ‘lucky’ to have Jorginho at Arsenal

Arteta, again, axed Jorginho after the November international break, and he only played 20 minutes until February. But the Italy star returned to the XI as Arsenal beat Liverpool 3-1 in February to totally captivate Arteta, who called him the ‘man of the match’ via The Athletic.

“Unbelievable,” Arteta said. “I always say that he’s an example, a role model. He’s been in a lot of pain because he’s had an issue he’s been carrying for months. He didn’t want to stop, he’s been playing with that. He’s been training, always the first one in and the last one out.

“For all the kids at the club, if you want to look at somebody, just look at him. He’s won everything but you ask him not to play or play one minute last week he’s happy to go there. Ask him to play 90 minutes at that rhythm and he’s able to do that.

“I’m really lucky to have players like this. It’s a game that I had in my mind. I was imagining how much we were going to need him. He’s a really intelligent player, his biggest quality is that he makes the people around him better. He connects everybody.”