Arsenal star Jorginho is reportedly being eyed for a January transfer by Galatasaray with the Turkish giants supposedly preparing to terminate the loan of Tottenham flop Tanguy Ndombele. According to reports in Turkey, Galatasaray are preparing to send Ndombele back to Spurs and want another experienced Premier League ace in Jorginho.
Ndombele has played just 209 minutes in the Turkish Super Lig this season. Head coach Okan Buruk has reportedly been unimpressed with the performances of the midfielder since he joined on loan from Spurs ahead of the campaign.
Galatasaray spent the summer bolstering their squad with an array of former Premier League talent. Ndombele, Wilfried Zaha, Hakim Ziyech and Davinson Sanchez all arrived from the English top-flight.
Buruk is understood to want to replace Ndombele with Arsenal star Jorginho before the end of the January window. According to Turkish publication Sampiy10, Galatasaray will terminate the loan of Ndombele and pursue Jorginho. It is claimed that club officials have been sent to London to thrash out a deal.
The Italian signed an 18-month contract when he signed from Chelsea a year ago, meaning his terms expire at the end of the season. He is able to discuss a pre-contract move with a foreign club but it seems that Galatasaray want an immediate permanent transfer.
It will come as a blow to Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who often turns to Jorginho in Arsenal’s biggest matches. The 32-year-old has played in 11 Premier League matches this season, although has not featured since playing the final minute of Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Wolves on December 2.
Given his uncertain contractual situation at Arsenal, Galatasaray may fancy their chances of striking a bargain. Arsenal may rue Spurs sending the under-performing Ndombele to the Super Lig leaders at the start of the campaign.
However, any fee for Jorginho could go towards more signings at the Emirates Stadium. Arteta is desperate for attacking reinforcements this month but knows that he will be handed a limited budget, almost certainly ruling out big-money moves for Ivan Toney or Victor Osimhen.
The inconsistency of Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah has seen Arsenal lack a prolific No 9 all season. The duo have scored just eight Premier League goals between them this term, while title rivals Manchester City and Liverpool both have players bagging double figures.
“We have certain targets, ideas if things happen,” Arteta said last week. “As well, we don’t know how the squad is going to look in two weeks’ time and you have to be always prepared for that.
“But it is a very, very tricky market that shifts very quickly and it is quite unpredictable as well – and you have to be prepared.”
