Barcelona target has a contract offer from Chelsea, confirms agent: “Our priority”

With Barcelona on the lookout for a new pivot midfielder as a possible replacement for captain Sergio Busquets, Chelsea mainstay Jorginho has emerged as one of the options.

The Italian international is in the final year of his contract with Chelsea and is yet to agree on a new deal with the Premier League giants. It has opened up speculations about a possible move to Spotify Camp Nou next summer.

Reports had suggested that Barcelona director Mateu Alemany had already held talks with Jorginho’s agent, Joao Santos, over a possible Bosman transfer at the end of the season.

However, the midfielder, as well as his representative, have always maintained that they wish to renew with Chelsea despite the continued links with Barça.

Now, in a fresh interview with TMW (h/t Fabrizio Romano), Santos has once again confirmed that Jorginho’s priority is to stay at Chelsea and that the Blues have tabled a contract proposal for the UEFA Euro 2020 winner.

“We’ve received a proposal from Chelsea to sign a new contract so it’s our priority to discuss with Chelsea,” Santos said.

During the chat, Santos also addressed rumours of a return to Napoli for Jorginho, confirming that they had not received any proposals and they intend to speak to Chelsea as a priority.

“Napoli interest? We’d be happy of their interest, it’s a special club for Jorginho but there’s nothing as of now,” he said.

Jorginho has been with Chelsea since 2018 when he moved from Napoli, following in the footsteps of former manager Maurizio Sarri. He has tasted plenty of success at Stamford Bridge, but has always been linked with an exit.

A move to Juventus has been touted while Barcelona are also said to have shown a serious interest in his services.

But as things stand, it looks like the midfielder, who turned 31 earlier this month, could remain at Chelsea, although it still remains to be seen whether he and his agent find the Blues’ latest contract offer acceptable.

As for Barcelona, apart from Jorginho, the Catalans are also looking at his Chelsea teammate N’Golo Kante, along with Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi and Wolves ace Ruben Neves to reinforce their midfield. At the same time, Busquets staying at the club for another year is not ruled out either.