ARSENAL’S Jorginho is a target for Galatasaray — but the Gunners are set to resist any bid before the Turkish transfer window closes on Friday.
Gala are looking at other options after Manchester United midfielder Casemiro signalled his preference to stay at Old Trafford.
And they are prepared to test Arsenal’s resolve to hold on to a player who has less than a year left on his current contract.
The Italy midfielder, 32, is yet to play for the club this season but is seen as crucial to the strength in depth Arsenal need to compete on all fronts.
Boss Mikel Arteta loves what the ex-Chelsea star brings on and off the field.
New signing Mikel Merino suffered a shoulder injury in his first training session and will be out for several weeks.
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And Declan Rice misses next Sunday’s North London derby after his red card against Brighton — making it even more unlikely Jorginho would be allowed to leave this week.
Galatasaray had initially hoped to sign Casemiro, with an exit seeming more likely in the wake of his disasterclass in United’s 3-0 home defeat to Liverpool.
But Erik ten Hag defended the veteran midfielder and insisted he remains a key part of his plans.
Meanwhile, Arsenal could be without another player when they take on Tottenham after the international break.
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New signing Riccardo Calafiori was forced off in Italy’s 3-1 win over France after appearing to tackle himself in a freak accident.
The £42million left-back appeared to be in agony as he hurt his ankle.
And that could see Jurrien Timber keep his spot at the back against Spurs.
Meanwhile, Raheem Sterling is pushing for a starting spot.
He is the third ex-Blue signed by Arteta after Jorginho and Kai Havertz.
Sterling arrived as a deadline day loan signing after being frozen out at Stamford Bridge.
But Arteta is likely to keep the faith with Leandro Trossard after rejected a £29million offer for the Belgian from Saudi side Al-Ittihad this week.
Changes to the Premier League for 2024/25
NOTHING stays the same forever.
And that includes the Premier League, which is making a number of tweaks this season.
Team news will now be released 75 MINUTES before kick-off, 15 minutes earlier than had been the case before.
Things could get crowded on the touchline, with the number of substitutes permitted to warm-up boosted from three players per team to FIVE.
There’s also a change to how added time is calculated when a team scores a goal, an update to the ‘multiball’ system and the introduction of semi-automated offsides – but not straight away.
Go here to read about all the changes to the Premier League for 2024/25.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
