'I would like to return' - Jorginho confirms next move with Arsenal contract set to expire in summer 2024

The Gunners midfielder is mulling over the option to return to Serie A as his contract approaches its final eight months. The 31-year-old Italian, signed from Chelsea in January, has grown in stature in the current campaign and was even honoured with the captain's armband by Mikel Arteta in the last three matches in the absence of regular skipper Martin Odegaard.

Jorginho has the option to extend his current Arsenal contract but there's uncertainty around his future at the Emirates. As of January, the player can enter into negotiations with other clubs and sign a pre-contract which would come into effect in the summer when his deal in north London expires.

Jorginho opened up about his future while on international duty with Italy and said: "I'm very much in doubt, I would like to return but I don't know when the right time would be. I want to return yes, but I don't know when, I feel I still have things to do at Arsenal. It always takes time when you change teams, but the first six months at Arsenal were not negative, on the contrary."

The Italian midfielder has established himself as an integral part of Mikel Arteta's squad and has been in incredible form, making the most of Thomas Partey's absence through injury. Jorginho admitted that he is "happy" in north London and is thriving under the guidance of Arteta.

"Obviously, it takes time to understand the mechanisms better, Arteta gives you a billion pieces of information but I'm very happy there," he said.

"I have grown a lot on the pitch, in experience. I changed teams, coaches, therefore more information. I understood the game even more and how to compete. Competing does not just mean playing well, but also comes from experience. And this I try to pass this experience on to my teammates too."

Jorginho will be in action against North Macedonia on Friday before taking on Ukraine on Monday in two Euro 2024 qualifiers.

Italy have secured at least a play-off spot for Euro 2024 and can still automatically qualify by beating North Macedonia and then avoiding defeat against Ukraine.