Arsenal 'set to offer new contract to Jorginho'

The former Chelsea and Napoli lynchpin only penned an 18-month agreement with Mikel Arteta's side upon his arrival in January 2023 after Mohamed Elneny suffered a serious knee injury.

Jorginho was a regular fixture in Arteta's side during his first half-season at the club, but he would seemingly be consigned to a bit-part role in 2023-24 due to the signings of Declan Rice and Kai Havertz.

The Italy international did begin the campaign on the fringes of the Arsenal XI, but since the turn of the year, he has blossomed into an integral performer for Arteta in the middle of the park.

Jorginho has one goal and one assist to show from 28 appearances in the current campaign and has started four of Arsenal's last six Premier League games, earning particular plaudits for his displays in wins over Newcastle United and Liverpool.

Jorginho also played 83 minutes of Arsenal's Champions League last-16 second-leg win over Porto, and his deployment in the number six role has allowed Rice to saunter forward more often.

As things stand, however, the Italian can leave the club as a free agent at the end of the season, although Arsenal can trigger a 12-month extension to keep him on the books until 2025.

It was previously reported that the North London giants were preparing to open talks over a new deal entirely rather than simply triggering his one-year option, and according to Football Insider, Jorginho will be offered fresh terms.

The Champions League and Euro 2020 winner is supposedly after a two-year agreement until 2026 if he is to stick around, and Arsenal are confident that they can reach an agreement with his representatives.

Jorginho has now represented the Gunners on 44 occasions in all competitions, scoring one goal and setting up two more, although he has been heavily linked with a return to Italy should he call time on his Premier League career.

The midfielder's agent recently talked up a possible return to Serie A for his client, but Arteta and sporting director Edu have successfully persuaded a plethora of key men to extend their terms in recent months.

On Wednesday, the Gunners announced that fan favourite right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu had signed a new long-term deal, only a few days after fellow defender Ben White put pen to paper on a renewal.

Since the start of last season, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Aaron Ramsdale and Reiss Nelson have all inked renewals as well, although the latter two could depart this summer amid a lack of minutes.

Arsenal entered the international break top of the Premier League table, leading Liverpool on goal difference and one point better off than Manchester City, whom they take on in a mouthwatering Etihad battle on March 31.