Arsenal’s first transfer of the summer SEALED as Romano confirms three-year deal

Arsenal’s transfer business for the summer window is underway, with Mikel Arteta allowing veteran midfielder Jorginho to depart at the end of his contract.

Jorginho, who arrived at the Emirates Stadium in January 2023 on an €11.3 million deal from Chelsea, will leave the Gunners to sign for Brazilian side Flamengo.

The 33-year-old will leave as a free agent, meaning that Arsenal will not gain a transfer fee for the player, who has featured for Arteta’s side on 26 occasions this season.

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed the deal, taking to X to report: “Jorginho set to join Flamengo on a free transfer, here we go!

“Plan confirmed since January and deal set to be sealed for the midfielder who’s leaving Arsenal in June.

“Three-year deal until 2028 at Flamengo verbally agreed.”

Rudy Galetti reports that the deal that Jorginho has signed is an automatic two-year agreement with one additional year to follow as an option.

The move comes as little surprise, with Flamengo director Jose Boto effectively confirming the move last week.

Room made for Zubimendi

Jorginho’s departure from the Arsenal midfield frees up the Gunners for the possibility of adding another new face to their ranks in this area.

Arteta is widely expected to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who has been close to joining the Emirates club for several months, with FootballTransfers exclusively reporting on the deal back in January.

This transfer is one of several expected in North London during the summer as the Gunners attempt to make the deals that will draw them closer to the Premier League title after another near miss this time around.

In the meantime, all thoughts are on the second leg of their Champions League semi-final with PSG, a match in which Jorginho is expected to start on the bench.

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While Real Madrid may wish a sale, it may be difficult to manufacture given his large wages and chronic physical unreliability over the course of the last 18 months. Alaba would certainly represent a major gamble for any buying club.