‘Edu wanted the boy’ – Jorginho’s agent reveals how controversial transfer from Chelsea to Arsenal unfolded
JORGINHO’S agent has revealed how Edu Gaspar convinced the midfielder to trade Chelsea for Arsenal.
Jorginho swapped west London for the capital’s north with a stunning late switch on deadline day.
Jorginho’s agent has lifted the lid on his move from Chelsea to Arsenal
The veteran midfielder won plenty of trophies with Chelsea, including the Champions League.
And he could now add to his bulging trophy cabinet with a first Premier League title.
Jorginho discovered he was available for transfer late in the window after it emerged Chelsea were trying to sign Enzo Fernandez.
Arsenal turned their attention to the Italian Euros winner after they missed out on Brighton’s Moises Caicedo.
And all it took was a quick phone call from Mikel Arteta to convince Jorginho to swap Stamford Bridge for the Emirates.
But the driving force behind the deal was none other than football director Edu.
Jorginho’s agent Joao Santos said: “Two days before the transfer market closed, we saw that Chelsea worked to sign Enzo Fernandez.
“Edu Gaspar wanted the boy and so we made it happen. A new project – he did very well at Chelsea, winning a lot as a team and personally.
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Edu Gaspar was desperate to sign Jorginho for Mikel Arteta
“[Interest from Italy?] Not for January. We had talked to some teams for July.”
Jorginho himself has opened up over the speed of the move, saying previously: “Arteta calld me and it was all very quick, we made the deal in less than 48 hours.
“I had spoken to Chelsea and I knew I was no longer part of their plans.
“I wanted progress in my career and the Arsenal project suits me. It’s a young team that plays good football and fits my characteristics.
“I considered every scenario and made the decision. Sometimes you must accept when you are out of a project and that things come to an end.”