Arsenal midfielder Jorginho could return to Serie A this summer but would struggle to secure a starting spot if he swaps the Premier League challengers for Inter Milan.
Even Joao Santos, Jorginho’s agent, is not biased enough to suggest that the Italy international would succeed in ousting the wonderful Hakan Calhanoglu from Simone Inzaghi’s starting XI.
The justifiably self-confident Calhanoglu told DAZN this week that he considers himself the finest midfielder in world football, ahead of Rodri, Enzo Fernandez and Toni Kroos. And, on current form, it is difficult to disagree, the former Bayer Leverkusen star making the transition from an attacking number ten to a deep-lying, string-pulling, almost Andrea Pirlo-like playmaker with that pass against Juventus recently going viral.
And should Jorginho end up at Inter this summer – his Arsenal contract expires in July – the veteran will find himself going head-to-head with Calhanoglu for a starting spot.
Jorginho could leave Arsenal and return to Serie A
“We do not exclude (Jorginho joining) Milan and Inter, where everyone would like to play,” Santos says, via Calciomercato. “At Milan, he would start in place of (ex-Arsenal youngster Ismael) Bennacer.
“At Inter, (Jorginho) would be Calhanoglu’s reserve.”
Jorginho, who became the latest big name to cross the London divide from Chelsea to Arsenal to the tune of £12 million back in January 2023, has been one of Mikel Arteta’s star performers during an excellent start to the year, producing stellar performances in statement wins over Newcastle United and Liverpool.
But it appears there has been little movement on a new contract, with Santos not ruling out a return to Italy for a man who made his name under Maurizio Sarri at Napoli.
Gunners contract expires this summer
“If we have to play a game, I would see him better at Lazio due to the presence of Mr Sarri, who knows his characteristics very well,” Santos adds. “But also at Juventus, where there is a great sporting director like (Cristiano) Giuntoli, with whom he spent many good years at Napoli.”
“I don’t think (Jorginho could go to) Roma, because there has never been contact,” the agent adds. “But, by force and tradition, we don’t exclude Milan and Inter.”
HITC Football understands that Arsenal have identified Douglas Luiz of Aston Villa and Real Sociedad’s ‘world-class’ Spain international Martin Zubimendi as two of their top summer targets. Both players look well-suited to taking Jorginho’s place.
There is also interest at the Emirates in Fiorentina flyer Michael Kayode.
Arsenal, meanwhile, take on Sheffield United in Monday’s late kick-off.
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