Arsenal 'offer new contract to 32-year-old midfielder'

Signed in the final knockings of the January 2023 window following a serious knee injury to Mohamed Elneny, Jorginho has often been a calming presence in the Arsenal XI this season.

The 32-year-old has not set the world alight in terms of goal contributions, only managing one goal and two assists in 35 games, but his composed performances in the number six role have earned plenty of plaudits.

Jorginho started both legs of Arsenal's Champions League quarter-final showdown with Bayern Munich and enjoyed a run in the first XI earlier in the year too, in particular earning high praise for his showings in wins over Liverpool and Newcastle United.

With the Italy international mopping up at the base of the midfield, Declan Rice has been given licence to operate in a more advanced midfield role to brilliant effect, but his contract situation has been an unwelcome distraction.

Jorginho set to prolong Arsenal stay

Jorginho's current deal expires at the end of the season, and even though his terms include a 12-month extension option to keep him at the club until the summer of 2025, it has not been activated.

Instead, the Gunners have been working on a brand-new contract for the Champions League winner, and according to The Athletic, the North London giants have now tabled their offer.

It is unclear if the renewal includes a wage decrease or increase, as triggering his existing 12-month option would keep him on the same pay packet, but the report adds that Jorginho is expected to put pen to paper.

The midfielder will follow a plethora of key Gunners men in extending their terms over the past two years, a list which also includes Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

Jorginho has come up with one goal and three assists in 51 games for Mikel Arteta's men since joining from Chelsea for £12m midway through the 2022-23 season, and he has captained the club on six occasions this term.

Is Jorginho's new deal the right decision?

As with any contract extension, news of Jorginho's renewal - however long it may be - will be a hot-button topic and will spark plenty of debate, but the positives far outweigh the negatives on this one.

To start with, the Gunners are virtually guaranteed to lose Elneny when his own deal expires this summer, while Thomas Partey's contract only runs until the summer of 2025, leaving his future clouded in uncertainty.

The Ghana international has ousted Jorginho from the first XI in the last couple of weeks, but he simply cannot be relied upon to avoid injuries, while the ex-Napoli lynchpin has been the embodiment of peak fitness throughout his career.

At the age of 32, the Italian has incredibly never suffered an injury serious enough to sideline him for more than a week - as per Transfermarkt - and has only sat out one game this season, missing the 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion in December with a foot problem.

Furthermore, Jorginho's experience is invaluable to the younger players in the dressing room - and there are plenty of them - while he is also completing his coaching badges at London Colney. A new number six should still be sought, but assuming Jorginho is happy to play a rotational role next season, his renewal is brilliant news for all parties.