Arsenal star could choose to retire and take up new role with club at end of the season after being offered unique option: Reports
Jorginho is reportedly considering retiring and joining Mikel Arteta's backroom staff at Arsenal. The Italian midfielder has been offered two options at the Emirates.
FootballTransfers.com reports that Jorginho has the option to trigger the one-year option in his contract or join Arteta's coaching team. His current deal expires at the end of the season, and speculation is growing over his future.
Jorginho, 32, is a leader at Arsenal but isn't a regular starter. He's made three appearances across competitions this season.
The north Londoners suggested that the former Chelsea midfielder join Arteta's backroom staff when he last signed a contract extension in May. He hasn't decided whether he wants to do that.
Arteta knows all too well about taking steps into coaching after hanging up the boots. The Spaniard retired in 2016 before joining Pep Guardiola's backroom staff as an assistant.
Jorginho joined Arsenal from Chelsea for £12 million in January 2023. He's made 55 appearances across competitions, scoring one goal and three assists.
A decision over his future likely won't be made until near the end of the season, but he's become a popular figure at the Emirates. He's been handed the captain's armband when Martin Odegaard has been unavailable.
"Arteta tried to sign me before" - Jorginho claims he could have joined Arsenal earlier in his career
Jorginho spent five years at Chelsea before joining Arsenal in January last year. He won four major trophies at Stamford Bridge, including the UEFA Champions League in 2021, and finished third in the Ballon d'Or race that year.
The 57-cap Italy international shed light on his move to the Gunners in an interview with David Seaman on his Seaman Says podcast. He knew his time with the Blues was over:
"It happened really quick, because it was in the last two days of the transfer window closing. I saw that my time at Chelsea was basically finished there. I didn't feel part of the project anymore, and sometimes you just need to accept and move on. When I had the call, I didn't think twice because I knew that Mikel [Arteta] tried to sign me before and it didn't happen."
Arteta has got the best out of veteran players who perhaps have started to show signs of regression. Granit Xhaka's Gunners career looked to be over until the Spanish coach's appointment in December 2019.