Jamie Carragher has offered his thoughts on Arsenal signing Italy star Jorginho from Premier League rivals Chelsea for a fee that could rise to £12m.
Jorginho joining Arsenal has been one of this month’s surprising transfers. The Premier League leaders have been linked with several midfielders during this window.
The Gunners’ need for a new midfielder has increased in recent days as Mohamed Elneny has suffered an injury that will keep him out for an extended period.
Arsenal have been chasing Moises Caicedo of late but they were unable to get the deal over the line with Brighton determined to keep their prized asset until the summer.
Instead, they have turned to Jorginho and he completed his move to the club on deadline day. He will cost an initial £10m and the deal for him could eventually cost £12m with add-ons.
Jorginho has penned a deal that runs until 2024 and his experience could prove to be important as Arsenal look to win the Premier League this season.
Carragher thinks Jorginho is a “top player”, but he is concerned that he is “not the sort of style for Arsenal’s play”.
“Arsenal have gone for [Moises] Caicedo, but maybe they cannot get that done from Brighton, so they have gone for Jorginho, who is an interesting one,” Carragher told Sky Sports.
“I can totally understand it, but I was listening to people talk about it today, and he is not the sort of style for Arsenal’s play, which is so quick, fast and energetic now and he is the opposite of that and I get that argument.
“But I also think that with maybe 10 games to go in the season, when they might actually need cool heads, when there is a pressure moment and the nerves are coming on in that title run, he may actually be a really good signing in terms of slowing things down with a cool head.
“He is a player that has won the Champions League, he has won a European Championship in the last few years, so he is a top player, there is no doubt about that, but he is a different style of player.
“But I am not saying that is for Arsenal week in, week out forever, but I think that could be a big help for them towards the end of the season when they get nervous.”
Jorginho has admitted that this transfer came as a “surprise” but sees this move as an “amazing challenge”.
“I’m very excited for this new challenge, and I just can’t wait to be on the pitch to be honest. Everything has happened so fast,” Jorginho said (via the club’s website).
“I was a bit surprised, but I took the opportunity of this amazing challenge.
“It’s an important shirt. It’s an amazing club, a big one, and I’m really excited and happy to be here.”
READ MORE: Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd among the Premier League 2023 January transfer window winners
