Arsenal have decided to veto Jorginho’s potential move to Flamengo this month, according to a report, though he is expected to agree a free summer transfer.
Globo Esporte report that Arsenal have vetoed Jorginho’s immediate release for a winter transfer, blocking a potential move to Flamengo for the time being.
Flamengo and Jorginho are reportedly close on personal terms, but Arsenal have warned them that they won’t allow the midfielder to leave before May.
Fabrizio Romano confirms the story, writing that the Flamengo board met with Arsenal to ask for a move this month, but the Gunners turned them down.
As a result, Flamengo have instead opened negotiations for a pre-contract agreement. With Jorginho in the final six months of his deal at Arsenal, he can agree a free transfer for later this year.
Part of Flamengo’s pitch is the Club World Cup, with the revised competition kicking off in June. Though there would perhaps be some complications there, as Jorginho’s Arsenal contract would only formally end on June 30th.
The Club World Cup kicks off on June 14th, and the knockout stages would be underway by June 30th. Jorginho would likely have to terminate his deal early to participate in the competition.
If Arsenal did terminate his contract early, he could move as a free agent, but it’s clearly not as simple as your standard pre-contract free transfer.
Globo Esporte previously reported that Flamengo had opened talks for the signing of Jorginho, planning a three-year contract offer. But that offer will have to wait a few more months to come into effect, perhaps giving Arsenal the chance to make a counter-proposal.