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Arsenal have rejected a late offer to sell midfielder Jorginho before the transfer deadline, according to reports.
The Italian Euro 2020 winner has been tentatively linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium during the January transfer window.
With his contract set to expire at the end of the season and a new deal unlikely to be offered, Jorginho has been considering his options while Arsenal consider cashing in now rather than losing him on a free transfer.
Jorginho has only started six Premier League games so far this season and looks set to be replaced by incoming signing Martin Zubimendi.
Arsenal have reportedly agreed a deal to sign Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, beating the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool to a summer deal.
Brazilian club Flamengo have expressed interest in signing Jorginho in a late January deal and even met with the Arsenal board to discuss terms.
However, Fabrizio Romano says Arsenal immediately rejected Flamengo’s proposal as they are reluctant to weaken Mikel Arteta’s squad any further.
As a result Flamengo – who finished third in the Brazilian top-flight last season – are now turning their attentions to a summer deal for Jorginho.
Jorginho has made 72 appearances for Arsenal since his £12m move from Chelsea two years ago.
The midfielder lifted a number of trophies at Stamford Bridge – including the Champions League – but has been unable to emulate that success at Arsenal.
The Gunners could, however, still win the Premier League this season, though they are nine points adrift of leaders Liverpool ahead of Sunday’s huge clash with Manchester City.
Discussing his future at Arsenal earlier in the month, Jorginho insisted his focus was on the 2024-25 campaign but admitted it would be ‘incredible’ to play in Brazil.
‘My contract is until June and my goal now is to think about the next game, which is in three days,’ Jorginho told TNT Sport. ‘There’s not much to think about, you know?
‘Things happen very quickly in football, things can happen overnight, but my mind is on the next game.
‘Football is a box of surprises, as we all know, but my goal is to think about the next game. I don’t even look, because it always happens.
‘Every window that opens is always crazy, with a lot of information, a lot of things, a lot of talk.
‘But if you stop to think about all the talk you always have, then you end up wasting a lot of energy and it ends up affecting your work where you are.
‘So my goal, as I said before, is to focus on where I am, which is here today, so that’s it.’
Asked if a move to Brazil could be on the cards in the future, Jorginho replied: ‘It’s a possibility, yes, in the future, it’s a possibility.
‘As I’ve already mentioned, I have never played professionally in Brazil so it would be an incredible experience for me.
‘So this door is also open, obviously. Keep all the doors open and calmly decide what to do in the future.’
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