Arsenal 'REJECT shock free transfer offer' for senior star - but buyers are 'refusing to give up' and could even sign him after Europe's window closes
Arsenal 'REJECT shock free transfer offer' for senior star - but buyers are 'refusing to give up' and could even sign him after Europe's window closes
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Arsenal have turned down a surprise bid for midfielder Jorginho - as Brazilian club Flamengo try to tempt him away from the Premier League as their 'dream player for 2025'. Jorginho, 33, has been restricted to just one Premier League start in 2025 but remains a key senior figure for Mikel Arteta, starting and scoring a penalty in the Gunners' Champions League win at Girona this week. Brazilian newspaper Globo say Flamengo believe the finances of a deal to sign Jorginho will 'not be an obstacle' despite some distance between their initial offer and his desire to earn £10million across a three-year deal in the nation of his birth.
![[The former Chelsea midfielder celebrates after scoring a penalty at Girona this week - another former Chelsea star, Filipe Luis, is the Flamengo manager behind the deal]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/02/09/94769367-14351635-The_former_Chelsea_midfielder_celebrates_after_scoring_a_penalty-m-19_1738487821858.jpg)
Arsenal have rejected the initial approach of a free transfer for the naturalised Italy midfielder, whose contract expires this summer, two years after his £12m move from Chelsea. But reports in Brazil say Flamengo, who finished third in the country's Serie A last season and face Botafogo in the Supercopa do Brasil on Sunday, are not giving up hope and will attempt a 'final move' before the transfer window closes.
Jorginho has emerged as a shock January target for Flamengo, despite his senior Arsenal role. The former Chelsea midfielder celebrates after scoring a penalty at Girona this week - another former Chelsea star, Filipe Luis, is the Flamengo manager behind the deal. Jorginho's interest in the transfer is understood to stem from a desire to play in this summer's Club World Cup where Chelsea are among the opponents for Flamengo, who are managed by another ex-Blues star in Filipe Luis.
He could still play in the tournament with a transfer at the end of his Arsenal contract, but Flamengo would prefer a deal done now - and Brazil's transfer window remains open until February 28. Arsenal are understood to have rejected the offer because Jorginho remains an important player - and Mikel Arteta fears injuries could upset the balance of his squad. Jorginho also has interest from Palmeiras and other Brazilian clubs as well as in Europe and the Middle East, but Flamengo are firmly at the front of the queue.
