Arsenal’s new signing Jorginho has revealed that manager Mikel Arteta had a ‘big influence’ in his deadline-day move from Chelsea to the Emirates.
The 31-year-old became Arsenal’s third and final signing of the winter transfer window on Tuesday, signing an 18-month contract with an option to extend until 2025.
Jorginho, who was in the final six months of his Chelsea contract and was also linked with Barcelona, is believed to have cost Arsenal £10m upfront.
The fee could rise to £12m with performance-related add-ons, and Jorginho joins to provide competition and cover for Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka in the engine room.
Speaking to arsenal.com after signing his contract, the former Napoli man explained that Arteta had tried to sign him numerous times in the past, but it was not due to his “wishes” that a move to North London had not occurred sooner.
He was a big influence because I know that he tried a few times to get me before and it didn’t happen due to other reasons, not because of my wishes. So of course, he had a big influence,” Jorginho said.
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Jorginho scored 29 goals and assisted nine times in 213 games for Chelsea after joining from Napoli in 2018, winning the Champions League, Club World Cup, Europa League, and UEFA Super Cup.
The Euro 2020 winner, who was also named UEFA’s Best Player in Europe for 2021, scored three goals in 25 games for Chelsea in the 2022-23 season, including the Blues’ 1-0 Premier League loss to Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in November.
Jorginho could make his Arsenal debut when the Gunners travel to Goodison Park to face Everton on Saturday lunchtime.
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