Arsenal midfielder Jorginho has agreed a deal to join Brazilian side Flamengo on a free transfer at the end of the season, according to reports.
The Italian midfielder has made 78 appearances for the Gunners since completing a £12m move from London rivals Chelsea in 2023.
Jorginho signed a one-year extension last summer to extend his stay at the Emirates, but his future at the club beyond this season has long been uncertain.
The 33-year-old has started just nine Premier League games this season, and reportedly came close to leaving the club in January.
A late approach from Flamengo was rejected at the time as Mikel Arteta wished to keep the experienced midfielder around the club for the second half of the season.
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But having failed to agree terms on a new extension with Arsenal, Jorginho will now join Flamengo on a free transfer when his contract expires in June.
Reports in Brazil suggest a three-year contract until 2028 has been verbally agreed between the club and Jorginho.
Jorginho was pictured in Rio de Janeiro just last month and has been open with his desire to return to the country of his birth in the twilight years of his career.
‘As I’ve already mentioned, I have never played professionally in Brazil so it would be an incredible experience for me,’ he said back in January.
‘So this door is also open, obviously. Keep all the doors open and calmly decide what to do in the future.’
The midfielder is currently sidelined with a lung injury but could well return to play again before the end of the season.
While Jorginho now looks destined to leave the north London club in the summer, Arsenal are still hopeful of agreeing terms with Thomas Partey whose current deal also expires at the end of the season.
Asked last month whether there had been any progress in talks over a new deal, Arteta said: ‘Yes, there is progress with all the players. I’ll leave that to [sporting director] Andrea [Berta] and the club to decide and to talk about.’
The Gunners are also confident of wrapping up a deal to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi who has a €60 million (£51m) release clause in his contract.
Zubimendi had come close to joining Liverpool last year but the midfielder chose to spend another season in La Liga.
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