JUVENTUS have been trying ‘for years’ to sign Arsenal midfielder Jorginho, but Mikel Arteta is blocking the way.
According to Calciomecato, the Italian club have been on Jorginho’s trail ‘for years’ and could make their move this summer, when his contract at Arsenal runs out.
Arteta appears to back Jorginho and it looks unlikely the Gunners will let a player of his quality slip away.
Arteta sung the praises of the 32-year-old when he said: “He is a very intelligent player, and the most important quality of him is that he makes those around him better.
“He knows how to connect his teammates, he knows how to read the game and manage it, it’s incredible.
“I always say that he is an example, a model for everyone in the club.”
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In spite of the manager’s gushing praise, Arsenal are apparently not ready to fully commit to the midfielder for next year because there are ‘many variables still to evaluate’.
The club’s indecision is leaving a wide open gap for Juventus to swoop into.
The Italians are currently waiting and watching in the wings amidst the uncertainty coming from the North London direction.
Director of football, Cristiano Giuntoli has apparently been keeping a close eye on the Italian midfielder for years and ‘knows all about him’ .
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Jorginho has long been linked with a move to Juventus and the idea now is that the Italian would be a ‘mother hen’ for the younger players were he to move to Italy.
He would also offer different characteristics to leading player Manuel Locatelli, 26.
The idea of offering him a short term contract has also been floated, although Arsenal would still have to give the green light which does not look that likely at the moment.
Jorghino has recently reached sky high approval from Gunners’ fans after he helped persuade Arteta to play 15-year-old Ethan Nwaneri, now the youngest Premiere League player ever, against West Ham.
Arsenal are seemingly getting stronger and stronger, beating Liverpool 3-1, thrashing West Ham and Crystal Palace 6-0 and 5-0 respectively.
It would have been a run of fantastic form of late if they had not let Fulham get two goals past David Raya in the 2-1 loss on New Year’s Eve.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
