Arsenal in contract negotiations with Jorginho, opening with an offer of a new two-year deal for the midfielder.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Jorginho of Arsenal applauds the fans after the team's victory in the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on February 24, 2024. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Jorginho of Arsenal applauds the fans after the team’s victory in the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on February 24, 2024. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Arsenal’s Jorginho is technically out of contract this summer, though the Gunners hold an option to extend his deal by one year.

Rather than simply activating that option, Mark Mann-Bryans reported last month that Arsenal were set to open contract negotiations with Jorginho, offering a new one-year deal with an option for a second.

If Jorginho accepted, his new contract would take him to 2025, with a club option to extend to 2026.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 04: Jorginho and Declan Rice of Arsenal celebrate after the team's victory in the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Emirates Stadium on February 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Jorginho and Declan Rice of Arsenal celebrate after the team’s victory in the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Emirates Stadium on February 04, 2024. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Given Arsenal are only opened negotiations recently, you wouldn’t expect an immediate conclusion to the process, but it’s good to hear that the two parties are working on it.

Fabrizio Romano recently reported that Arsenal’s option to extend Jorginho’s contract by a year remains valid, and it will still be there for the Gunners to activate until the end of the season.

If they can’t reach an agreement on a new deal before May, and if Jorginho remains in strong form, you’d think Arsenal would then fall back to their extension option to ensure they don’t lose the midfielder for nothing.

Arsenal's Jorginho (L) speaks with referee Anthony Taylor during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 4, 2024. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Jorginho (L) speaks with referee Anthony Taylor during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 4, 2024. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Romano added that Mikel Arteta is “really happy” with Jorginho’s performances at the moment. The decision to open contract talks certainly suggests that’s the case.