Arsenal release statement as midfield transfer confirmed amid Martin Zubimendi chase

Arsenal have seen an early exit for midfield star Jorginho as the Italy international departs before the end of his contract with the prospect of Martin Zubimendi arriving at the Emirates

Arsenal have confirmed that Jorginho has been released from his contract after coming to a mutual agreement to see him become a free agent. The midfielder was set to leave at the end of the month when his contract expired but has now made his exit prematurely and joined Brazilian club Flamengo in time to feature in the Club World Cup in the United States.

Jorginho joined the Gunners in January 2023 from Chelsea and made 78 appearances for the club. The Italy international arrives in time as Flamengo begin their campaign in the US against ES Tunis, while Jorginho could line up against Chelsea on June 20, in the Brazilian side’s second match of the group stage.

Posting on social media, Arsenal said: “The club can confirm that we have reached a mutual agreement with Jorginho to end his contract with immediate effect. Thank you for everything and all the best, Jorgi”

The north London side were highly complimentary of their former charge and said in their statement: “Jorginho (full name Jorge Luiz Frello Filho), soon became a hugely respected member of the squad. His natural leadership skills, together with his control in midfield, intelligent positioning and extensive, high-quality passing, ensured that he was a valuable and integral part of the club.”

“Everyone at Arsenal Football Club would like to thank Jorgi for his contribution to the club and we wish him and his family all the best for the future,” they added.

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The Gunners are set to say goodbye to 17 players at the end of the month with Kieran Tierney joining Jorginho in exiting the Emirates. The Scotland star is set to join Celtic.

Speaking about his exit, Tierney said: “Just thank you for everything from day one. They supported us through the good times and the bad, and they supported me through some hard times as well.

“I think that’s what I’m most grateful for, the times where it wasn’t so good or so easy for me is when they probably supported me most, so I’m just very grateful and I feel very lucky to have the support from them.

“I feel so lucky that I’ve played for this club and the love that the supporters have given me has been amazing. I’ve loved every day here and I’ve learned so much, I’ve improved so much and I just feel very lucky.”

Arsenal are set to be busy this summer however, and already seem to have a midfield replacement for Jorginho. Martin Zubimendi is expected to arrive in north London.

The finishing touches are said to being put to a deal, though theSpain international has suggested a move away from Real Sociedad is not guaranteed. The 26-year-old, who rejected the chance to move to Liverpool last August, told Radio Nacional when asked if he could yet stay in the Basque region.

“Of course there are options, but it’s true that it seems like it’s going to be a different, long summer, and I don’t know how it will end,” he said.

“I don’t think thinking about that right now is my priority. I’m here with the national team, which I think is already quite demanding, and if I have to say something, then I will.”

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