Arsenal have agreed a deal with London rivals Chelsea to sign central midfielder Jorginho, football.london understands.
The Italian will arrive at the Emirates Stadium for £10million in guaranteed fees with a further £2million in add-ons, signing a contract until summer 2024, with the club holding the option of an extra year. The Gunners are also in talks with Crystal Palace over a loan move for young midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga, football.london understands whilst Mohamed Elneny is set for an extended spell on the sidelines as his knee injury has proven to be more serious than initially feared.
Mikel Arteta admitted that his side are short of options in the centre of the park earlier this month, telling football.london: "We need some more cover in midfield ideally if we can. In this market, it’s pretty complicated to do that.
READ MORE: Jorginho's Arsenal shirt number options as Edu agrees shock £12m January deadline day transfer
"The most important thing is that we get the performances and the time on the pitch that we need with the players we have available today that are already really good." Considering Lokonga is set to leave and Elneny is not expected to be back anytime soon, the Spaniard's comments could suggest that the addition of Jorginho won't end Arsenal's pursuit of midfielders before this evening's deadline.
Brighton's Moises Caicedo had been the north London club's main midfield target, but after being rejected in two bids for the Ecuadorian, the Gunners eventually backed off from the deal. Time is now running out for any additional midfield recruitments but Arteta's aforementioned comments certainly suggest that he would like more than just one Jorginho if Lokonga does leave before the transfer window slams shut.
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