Italian press claim Arsenal deal for key midfield target is done, Arteta will be delighted

Jorginho has 'just signed' his contract to join Arsenal from Chelsea on transfer deadline day, according to reports from Italy.

The 31-year-old was first linked with Arsenal yesterday as a potential alternative to Brighton's Moises Caicedo, who looks set to remain at Brighton beyond the 11pm deadline tonight.

A Champions League winner with Chelsea, the midfielder also placed third in the 2021 Ballon d'Or award standings following impressive displays for the Blues and Italy.

But he is now set to become Arsenal's third signing of the January transfer window, after the Gunners completed swoops for Leandro Trossard from Brighton and Jakub Kiwior from Spezia.

According to a report from Italy, the deal is now done.

Jorginho to Arsenal done?

According to TuttoMercatoWeb, Jorginho has signed his contract ahead of his move to Arsenal.

They have written: "Jorginho has just signed with Arsenal. After the rumours of the morning arrived ... together with the agent Joao Santos and the lawyer Alessandro Belluzzo, [the player] has put his signature on the new contract until 2025.

"Now, only the official announcement of the operation is awaited."

The move will bring to an end Jorginho's four-and-a-half year stint at Stamford Bridge, where he won the Champions League and Europa League titles, as well as the UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta praised Jorginho during his time as assistant manager at Manchester City. When discussing the key role a regista, or deep-lying midfielder, must play, stating (quotes via football.london): "He is the one that makes everyone work, the one that frees those in front, the one who finds superiority, the one who sets the pace.

"Our position has changed a lot. There are already few teams that want to play with a single defensive midfielder, holding the whole game.

"I'm not talking about City, but in other teams that role is not as defined, and we are losing the idea of having one who plays there. The Jorginho type, that I love, or the Busquets type. Rodri? He closely resembles what 'Busi' is."