Gab Marcotti and Rob Palmer talk about Arsenal’s goalkeeping form. (1:56)
The representative of the arsenal midfielder Jorginho has held exploratory conversations with Palmeiras as uncertainty about his long stay in Emirates Stadium grows, sources told ESPN.
The midfielder’s agent, João Santos, is gathering potential options given his contract with the Gunners is due to expire at the end of the season.
Sources say talks between Jorginho’s agent and Palmeiras are initial and no official offer has been discussed.
Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta, warned last week that he wanted to “have those conversations much later” in the season, since Jorginho and Thomas Party end their 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 contrition on and off the field (the Italian is recently taking his training badges) but sources recommend that he will likely only be presented with a one-year extension, given that he has the summer left last season.
The 33-year-old would prefer a longer contract and has already expressed a preference to return to Italy before retiring from the game.