Gab Marcotti and Rob Palmer discuss Arsenal’s goalscoring form. (1:56)
Arsenal midfielder Jorginho’s representative has held exploratory talks with Palmeiras as uncertainty grows over his future at Emirates Stadium, sources have told ESPN.
The midfielder’s agent, João Santos, is finalizing signings given that his contract with the Gunners will expire at the end of the season.
The sources say that the conversations between the agent of Jorginho and Palmeiras are initial and no official offer has been discussed.
The Arsenal Chief, Mikel Arteta, advised last week that he sought “to have those conversations much later” in the season, Jorginho and Thomas part were at the end of the contract in less than six months.
But he said the two players are now free to negotiate directly with other clubs.
Arteta values Jorginho’s input on and off the field — the Italian is currently taking his coaching badges — but sources suggest he is only likely to be offered a one-year extension, just as he was last season.
The 33 -year -old would prefer a longer contract and has already expressed the preference of returning to Italy before retiring.