Arsenal sign Jorginho from Chelsea in deal worth £12m on Deadline Day

Arsenal add midfield reinforcement after Mohamed Elneny is ruled out with a’significant’ injury and Albert Sambi Lokonga is loaned out to Crystal Palace; Arsenal’s attempts to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton were unsuccessful.

Arsenal has signed Jorginho from Chelsea in a Deadline Day deal worth £12 million, bolstering their midfield ahead of a title challenge.

The 31-year-old Italian midfielder has agreed to terms on an 18-month deal with an option to extend for another year.

Jorginho was in the final six months of his Chelsea contract, and the Blues were attempting to break the British transfer record for Benfica central midfielder Enzo Fernandez.

Arsenal attempted to sign Jorginho from Chelsea in the summer of 2020, just after he won the Champions League with the Blues and the year before he lifted the European Championships with Italy, under Mikel Arteta.

Arteta was also an assistant coach at Manchester City when they tried to sign him in 2018, but Jorginho chose to join Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea instead.

Speaking to the Arsenal website about Arteta, Jorginho said: “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.

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“I’m very excited for this new challenge, and I honestly can’t wait to be on the pitch!” Everything happened so quickly. I was surprised, but I took advantage of this incredible opportunity.”

Arsenal are short on midfield options after Egypt international Mohamed Elneny suffered a “significant” knee injury on Deadline Day.

According to a club statement: “Mohamed Elneny suffered a significant injury to his right knee during a recent training session, according to subsequent assessments. Mo underwent successful surgery in London and will be sidelined for an indefinite period of time.”

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Meanwhile, Crystal Palace has signed Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga on loan. There are also ongoing concerns about Thomas Partey, who has a rib injury.

The Gunners made two bids for Moises Caicedo in the final week of the January transfer window, but Brighton refused to sell the midfielder.

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