Arsenal midfielder very close to joining Turkish giants Besiktas: Reports
Arsenal's Jorginho is close to joining Besiktas next summer, according to Turkish news outlet Sabah. The Italian midfielder's contract at the Emirates will expire at the end of this season and he hasn't signed an extension yet.
Jorginho has been a peripheral figure for the Gunners of late, and has dropped down the pecking order since the arrival of Mikel Merino over the summer. The 32-year-old has registered just seven appearances across competitions for the north London side this season, four of which have been starts.
Besiktas are keeping a close eye on his situation and are already in talks to prise him away from the Emirates Stadium. Negotiations have progressed smoothly and the Turkish club are very close to convincing Jorginho to move to Istanbul.
The Italian could sign a new contract with Arsenal, but he is also open to joining Besiktas. The player initially joined the Gunners from Chelsea in January 2023, but has never been a first-team regular under Mikel Arteta.
Could Jorginho join Mikel Arteta's coaching team at Arsenal?
Jorginho reportedly has an offer to join Arteta's backroom staff at Arsenal, but is unwilling to end his playing career in 2025. The Italian has a world of experience under his belt, having registered over 600 games for club and country in his career.
Speaking in September via Turkish news outlet Sabah, Jorginho acknowledged that he will go into coaching once he hangs up his boot.
“I came to Arsenal and they asked me if I would like to do my [coaching] badges. At the beginning I was like: ‘No, I don't want to be a coach.’ They were like: ‘Are you sure? Why not do it just to have it?’ First session, I fell in love. I was like 'Oh no, why did I do it? Now I'm in trouble.' I think I will go for it. I think so. To be on the pitch and be with the players, it was so satisfying," said Jorginho.
He continued:
“When you see things coming out, working out the way you expected to. So good. Being on the pitch and actually seeing the potential there. It's different. I think football is in a constant evolution and it's going to be changing always. It’s never going to stop. It was different when I started, it was different in the middle, and when I'm going to finish, it's going to be different.”
Joringho has registered 59 appearances across competitions for Arsenal to date, chipping in with one goal and three assists.