Galatasaray is eyeing a move for Arsenal’s Jorginho, but the Gunners are determined to resist any bid before the Turkish transfer window closes on Friday. Galatasaray had initially hoped to sign Manchester United’s Casemiro, but the midfielder decided to stay at Old Trafford, leaving the Turkish club to explore other options. However, Arsenal is reluctant to let go of Jorginho, who has less than a year left on his current contract. Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s manager, values the midfielder for his contributions both on and off the field.
Jorginho’s Importance to Arsenal’s Squad
Despite not having played for Arsenal this season, Jorginho is considered crucial to the team’s depth and ability to compete on all fronts. The 32-year-old Italy midfielder brings valuable experience and skill to the squad. With new signing Mikel Merino sustaining a shoulder injury in his first training session and being sidelined for several weeks, Arsenal cannot afford to lose Jorginho.
Galatasaray’s Pursuit of Casemiro
Galatasaray’s initial target was Casemiro, hoping to secure his services after his lackluster performance in Manchester United’s 3-0 defeat to Liverpool. However, Erik ten Hag, the coach of the Turkish club, defended the veteran midfielder, affirming his importance to the team’s plans. With Casemiro staying at Manchester United, Galatasaray turned their attention to Jorginho, testing Arsenal’s resolve to hold onto the player.
Uncertainty for Arsenal Ahead of North London Derby
Arsenal faces the possibility of being without another player for the North London derby against Tottenham after the international break. Declan Rice’s red card against Brighton means he will be unavailable for the upcoming match. This situation further reduces the likelihood of Jorginho’s departure from Arsenal this week.
Injury Concerns for Arsenal
Riccardo Calafiori, Arsenal’s new signing, suffered an injury during Italy’s win over France. The left-back appeared to tackle himself, resulting in an ankle injury. This setback could open the door for Jurrien Timber to retain his spot in the defense against Tottenham. Additionally, Raheem Sterling, another new signing, is pushing for a starting spot after being frozen out at his former club, Chelsea.
Arteta’s Faith in Trossard
Leandro Trossard is expected to maintain his place in the team despite receiving a £29 million offer from Saudi side Al-Ittihad. Arteta rejected the bid and is likely to keep faith in the Belgian winger.
Premier League Changes for the 2024/25 Season
The Premier League has introduced several changes for the 2024/25 season. Team news will now be released 75 minutes before kick-off, 15 minutes earlier than before. The number of substitutes permitted to warm up has been increased from three players per team to five. Other changes include modifications to how added time is calculated when a team scores a goal, updates to the “multiball” system, and the introduction of semi-automated offsides.
Conclusion
While Galatasaray is targeting Arsenal’s Jorginho, Arsenal is determined to resist any bid for the midfielder before the Turkish transfer window closes. Jorginho’s importance to Arsenal’s squad, coupled with injury concerns and the upcoming North London derby, make it unlikely that he will be allowed to leave this week. As the season progresses, Arsenal will rely on Jorginho’s experience and skill to compete on all fronts.