Jorginho ‘offered to Palmeiras’ and is ‘interested in leaving Arsenal in January transfer window’

ARSENAL star Jorginho is reportedly a target for Brazilian side Palmeiras.

The Italian midfielder's contract at the Emirates is due to expire at the end of the season.

Jorginho joined Arsenal in a £12m cross-London move from Chelsea in January 2023.

The 33-year-old has featured mainly as a substitute this season, appearing in just 10 games.

According to Jorginho's representatives have held "preliminary" talks with Palmeiras.

The Brazilian side - based in Sao Paulo - are interested in bringing Jorginho back to the land of his birth.

But the report indicates "no formal offer was discussed" between the two clubs.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta suggested earlier this month Arsenal are not looking to open contract negotiations with Jorginho until the summer.

The Gunners are currently six points behind leaders Liverpool in the Premier League title race.

Arteta said: "I don’t want to start to have these [contract] conversations now.

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"I want to have these conversations much later because the focus has to be on what we have to do in the season.

"[Jorginho and out-of-contract Thomas Partey] can understand the intentions and then we can see what we can do.

"I am very, very happy with [Jorginho]. [He is] such a value in the squad.

"And I want to keep him as well with the right mind frame, because the most important part of the season is coming now."

With his contract running out in less than six months, Jorginho is now free to negotiate directly with other clubs.

The Italian is currently taking his coaching badges as he plans for his career after football.

ESPN report the Gunners could offer the midfielder a one-year extension, just as he received last season.

But Jorginho is likely to be after a longer deal - and has previously expressed a desire to play in Italy before he hangs up his boots.