Arsenal midfielder Jorginho has responded to rumours that he could be on the way to Brazilian giants Flamengo when his Gunners contract expires in June.
The former Chelsea and Napoli man has only played a bit-part role for Mikel Arteta's team in the 2024-25 campaign, making just seven Premier League starts and three in the Champions League.
Jorginho's deal - which he extended last spring - includes an option for a further 12 months, but as things stand, the 33-year-old will be heading for the exit door when his terms run out at the end of the season.
It has been reported that Jorginho has already reached a pre-contract agreement to sign for Flamengo on a free transfer this summer, but the midfielder was loath to talk about such speculation earlier this week.
Jorginho flew back to Brazil - the country of his birth - for the international break, and he was greeted by journalists at the airport, who pressed him on the Flamengo rumours as he got into his car.
Jorginho remains tight-lipped on Flamengo rumours
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The 33-year-old was non-committal either way, replying: "We'll see what happens. There is [plenty of time]," before also being asked if he will hold conversations with Flamengo sporting director Jose Boto.
As quoted by football.london, the smiling Italy international said: "Good question, good question. I came here on holiday", although Boto has already talked up the prospect of Jorginho joining Flamengo for the 2025-26 season.
"That's a question that should be asked more to Jorginho than to me," Boto told Lance, before expressing his belief that Jorginho could represent Flamengo in the upcoming Club World Cup.
"Right now, the ball is in Jorginho's court. He usually handles the ball well, and I hope he handles it well, in the best way for him and for us, which is to come to Flamengo. If everything goes well, yes [he will play in the Club World Cup]."
Jorginho's Arsenal contract officially expires on June 30, but Flamengo's Club World Cup campaign commences on June 16, so the South American giants would need Arsenal to agree to terminate his deal a few weeks early in order for him to be available for the start of the tournament.
The Euro 2020 winner has contributed two goals and three assists in 76 games for Arsenal since joining from Chelsea midway through the 2022-23 season, costing the Gunners £9.5m to prise away from Stamford Bridge.
Should Arsenal extend Jorginho's contract?
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An extremely loyal servant to Arteta for the past two years, Jorginho would never have expected to start for the Gunners on a weekly basis, but he has proven his worth both on and off the field since 2023.
The 33-year-old possesses invaluable experience as the oldest outfield member of Arsenal's squad, and when called upon to fill in for Thomas Partey in the number six role, the Italian has done a sterling job dictating the tempo and playmaking from deep.
As Arsenal are already set to wave goodbye to Partey this summer and plan to replace him with Martin Zubimendi, there is certainly a case to trigger Jorginho's extension for one more season, especially as possible replacement Joshua Kimmich ended up signing a new deal with Bayern Munich.
The veteran lynchpin is also not one of Arsenal's highest earners - taking home £110,000 a week according to Capology - although not one Gooner should knock Jorginho for wanting to see out his playing days in the country of his birth.
Ben Knapton
