Arsenal veteran Jorginho has apparently reached an agreement to join Brazilian giants Flamengo when his contract runs its course at the end of the season.
The 33-year-old - who is currently sidelined due to a punctured lung - sees his current deal expire this summer, although Arsenal do have the option to extend his stay by an additional 12 months.
Jorginho penned fresh terms at the Emirates last May, having become an integral part of Mikel Arteta's squad on and off the pitch since joining from Chelsea midway through the 2022-23 season.
However, the Italy international has never been a consistent starter during his time in North London, making just nine starting lineups in the 2024-25 Premier League season and three in the Champions League.
In recent months, speculation surrounding Jorginho potentially returning to Brazil - the country of his birth - has been rife, and Flamengo have seemingly been leading the charge to capture the experienced lynchpin.
Jorginho 'to sign three-year deal' at Flamengo
Now, journalist Fabrizio Romano has given Jorginho to Flamengo his trademark 'Here we go', claiming that the Arsenal man has verbally agreed to sign for the South American powerhouses on a three-year contract until 2028.
Romano adds that Jorginho and Flamengo had drawn up plans for the midfielder to join the club in January, when the Euro 2020 winner became eligible to enter talks with foreign clubs over a pre-contract agreement.
As Jorginho has now given Flamengo his word, Arsenal will not be taking up their option to extend his contract, and the midfielder will now see out his final few weeks in red and white before likely seeing out the rest of his career in Brazil.
The 33-year-old has come up with two goals and three assists in 78 appearances for Arsenal over the past two-and-a-half years, including one strike from 26 matches in all competitions during the 2024-25 campaign.
Jorginho's punctured lung was initially expected to keep him out for the season, but there is now hope that the midfielder will be able to make at least one more appearance for Arsenal before his departure.
Is Jorginho making the right decision?
Ask 100 Arsenal fans, and the vast majority should be in favour of extending Jorginho's contract for at least another season, especially with so much uncertainty surrounding Thomas Partey's situation.
The 33-year-old may no longer be the same player that was named UEFA's Best in Europe in 2021, but he still provides a calming presence to the Arsenal midfield whenever he plays, dictating the tempo from the number six role.
As the oldest outfield player in the squad, Jorginho's experience and know-how is also invaluable to the young Gunners in the squad, and he has been transferring that knowledge to Arsenal's Hale End talents while completing his coaching badges.
However, Jorginho is not a young player anymore, and when a not-so-young player is offered a three-year contract at one of the most revered clubs in the country of his birth, he will inevitably accept it.
The Italy international should leave North London with nothing but gratitude from Gooners, who should at least be able to enjoy one or two more Jorginho cameos before he calls time on his stint in England. body check tags ::
