Arsenal midfielder Jorginho has expressed a desire to remain with the Gunners for the foreseeable future, according to a report from TalkSPORT.
The Italian metronome has been linked with a move to Lazio in recent months, but the claims have since been put to bed – it appears he will be remaining in the Premier League for the 2023/24 season.
Speaking to the London Evening Standard, Jorginho said: “To be honest, I was surprised but really happy by how welcome I was, how [Arsenal] treated me when I came in.
“It just made everything so much easier for me to know more people to integrate in the team. So it was really, really, really good and I am really, really happy. I’m very happy to stay at Arsenal, to be honest.”
When asked about Jorginho’s future, his agent said: “It’s not about the interest of Lazio or their budget… I can confirm that Jorginho is very happy at Arsenal. In our plans, it’s only Arsenal for next season. No negotiations with Lazio.”
Should Arsenal keep Jorginho?
With Declan Rice’s arrival at Arsenal seemingly getting closer by the day, it would make Jorginho the Gunners’ third-choice defensive midfielder – hardly a fitting role for such a decorated and talented player.
Despite this, there are rumours that Thomas Partey may be set to leave North London in the ongoing summer transfer window – if this is the case, then Arsenal should do whatever they can to keep Jorginho at the club.
What does Jorginho offer?
Jorginho may have his critics, but he is nonetheless a very talented midfielder. He possesses an excellent range of passing, with laser-like vision to boot. He is an ideal backup option for Rice, when the two players’ skillsets are compared side-by-side.
Arsenal will be partaking in the Champions League next season. As such, they will need all the quality in depth that they can get – Jorginho would provide them with this in spades. Obviously, he will be behind Rice in the pecking order – but he seems to both understand and accept this, given his desire to remain at the Emirates Stadium.
