Brazilian giants Flamengo have reportedly explored the opportunity to sign Arsenal midfielder Jorginho this month.
The Brazil-born Italian European Championship winner is out of contract at the Emirates in the summer, meaning clubs are free to discuss a pre-contract agreement with the player.
Jorginho has had a limited role in the Gunners' team this season, with Mikel Arteta handing him just six Premier League starts so far this season.
Despite injury problems for both Declan Rice and Mikel Merino this season, Arteta has still been reluctant to use the 33-year-old as often as he did last season, when the midfielder made 36 appearances in all competitions.
Jorginho did start in the weekend's FA Cup defeat to Manchester United though, playing 113 minutes before being forced off with a late injury.
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Jorginho set for a return to his homeland?
While now known universally for his exploits with the Italy national team, Jorginho was born and grew up in Brazil, residing there until he was 15, before moving to Italy.
Therefore, the Euro 2020 winner never played professional football in Brazil, as he joined Hellas Verona's academy while still a young teenager.
However, Flamengo look set to offer the veteran midfielder an opportunity to experience top-flight Brazilian football.
Former Arsenal man David Luiz made the same move in 2021, and shortly after won the Copa Libertadores with the club from Rio de Janeiro, who recently finished third in the Brazilian Serie A.
Italian journalist Luca Bendoni claims that interest from Flamengo is concrete, and they would prefer to get a deal done in January, even though the new Serie A season does not start for another couple of months.
Instead of waiting until the summer and leaving on a free transfer, in the hope of recouping some money from a first-team player, Arsenal are believed to be discussing the potential of Jorginho moving this month for a small fee.
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Arsenal looking to offload amid Zubimendi deal?
After news broke that Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi is set to turn down interest from some fellow Premier League rivals to join Arsenal, the club could be seeking to offload players to make room in the squad for the incoming Spaniard.
Zubimendi will be the second La Real man to move to the Emirates in the space of a year, joining Merino in North London.
With Arsenal seven points behind Liverpool in the title race, out of the FA Cup, and on the brink of elimination in the EFL Cup, a huge turnaround will be required in the second half of the season if they are to be successful, so while Zubimendi is not expected to move until the summer, some incomings and outgoings could happen this month.
Andrew Delaney
