Arsenal midfielder Jorginho has reportedly emerged as a late summer transfer target for Fenerbahce.
While the majority of leagues around Europe closed for business last Friday, Turkish Super Lig clubs can still purchase players until September 15.
Premier League clubs who have failed to part ways with some of their unwanted squad players will hope to use that avenue to raise funds and reduce their wage bill in due course.
However, it is unclear whether Arsenal will be willing to take that route with Jorginho, even with the Italy international having less than a year on his contract.
Mikel Arteta is keen to have strength-in-depth in all options, but issues with a number of full-backs - whether that be an injury or departure - has led to Thomas Partey being required at right-back.
© Reuters
Nevertheless, despite the absence of the Ghana international against Manchester United on Sunday, Jorginho was still provided with limited game time.
The 31-year-old was introduced in added-on time as Arsenal battled their way to a 3-1 victory, but he now has three brief substitute outings to his name for 2023-24.
According to Ajansspor journalist Arda Birben on Twitter, Jorginho remains on the radar of Fenerbahce, who are in the market for a 'number six'.
Fenerbahce head coach Ismail Kartal has already been provided with some eye-catching additions in recent months, including Manchester United's Fred.
© Reuters
The Yellow Canaries have won their opening three top-flight fixtures, as well as qualifying for the Europa Conference League group stages.
That said, it appears that Fenerbahce's hierarchy are ready to try to tempt Arsenal into a sale, one that is less necessary now that the likes of Nuno Tavares and Folarin Balogun have departed the Emirates Stadium.
Arteta is well stocked for central midfielders with Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Fabio Vieira and Partey all ahead of Jorginho in the pecking order.
In the past, however, Jorginho's agent Joao Santos has indicated that the player has already decided to spend the 2023-24 campaign in North London, despite interest from Spain and Saudi Arabia.
Darren Plant
