Arsenal weigh up shock bid for Chelsea's Jorginho

Arsenal are weighing up a shock move for Chelsea midfielder Jorginho if they cannot agree a deal with Brighton for top target Moises Caicedo.

Brighton have rejected two bids for Caicedo in recent days but Arsenal remain keen to sign the 21-year-old before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

But with Brighton insisting the midfielder is not for sale, Mikel Arteta is having to consider other options as he looks to strengthen in this key area of the pitch.

Jorginho’s Chelsea contract expires in the summer, meaning this is the club’s last chance to generate a fee for the player before he becomes a free agent.

Chelsea will therefore consider an offer for the 31-year-old, whose position in Graham Potter’s squad will come under threat if Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernández moves to Stamford Bridge. As reported by Telegraph Sport on Monday, Chelsea are optimistic they will be able to sign Fernandez before the deadline after lodging a bid of more than £105 million.

Arsenal are hoping to add quality cover and competition for defensive midfielder Thomas Partey, with Jorginho believed to be just one option under consideration.

The need for Arteta’s league leaders to recruit in midfield this month has been made more urgent by an injury to Mohamed Elneny, the usual backup for Partey. Albert Sambi Lokonga, another central midfield option, has been unable to establish himself in north London and has an uncertain future at the club.

Meanwhile, Arsenal are set to loan teenage winger Marquinhos to Norwich City for the rest of the season. Marquinhos, who joined the club from Sao Paulo, has made only a handful of senior appearances this season, primarily in the Europa League, but is regarded as a highly promising player for the future. David Wagner's side will not have an option to buy the Brazilian.