Why Chelsea are struggling to agree a new contract with Jorginho

The Italian had been central to the Blues under Thomas Tuchel

Updated: July 05, 2023 at 8:21 am GMT+1

Chelsea and Jorginho are struggling to find common ground over a new contract due to the Italian looking for a pay-rise on his current deal, according to reports.

The midfielder’s contract is up at the end of the season and Jorginho will be free, as it stands, to talk to clubs around Europe from January 1st in order to reach a pre-contract agreement, as was the case with Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen last summer, both of whom agreed moves away from Stamford Bridge well before their contracts ended on July 1st.

However, the regista is keen to remain in west London, while Chelsea are also keen to offer him a new deal. And the midfielder’s agent João Santos has confirmed that, despite the ability to negotiate with other clubs soon, Jorginho’s priority remains with Chelsea.

London, UK. 12th Jan, 2022. 12 January - Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea - Carabao Cup - Semi Final - Second Leg - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Jorginho and Bryan Gil during the Carabao Cup Semi Final, second leg match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London. 2HF56C8 London, UK. 12th Jan, 2022. 12 January - Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea - Carabao Cup - Semi Final - Second Leg - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Jorginho and Bryan Gil during the Carabao Cup Semi Final, second leg match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London. Picture Credit : Credit: Mark Pain/Alamy Live News

“His contract is expiring in June but our priority is to negotiate with Chelsea, so we are on it”, he told outlet TMW earlier in the season.

However, as per the London Evening Standard, this is becoming complicated, with the parties currently around £30,000 a week apart on their valuations (£1.56m per year).

“The 30-year-old vice-captain has been presented with initial terms on an extended deal that would keep his wage similar to his current £120,000-a-week”, the outlet reports.

However, they add, “the Italy international has asked for a pay rise that would see his salary rise in line with Cesar Azpilicueta, who recently signed a new £150,000-a-week deal.”

There are destinations aplenty available to Jorginho should he opt to leave, with a return to Italy a distinct possibility amid interest from Juventus and former club Napoli.

Meanwhile, Barcelona have already admitted that they will be using the free agent market more in future windows, having added two free agents last summer and three the summer before.

The Camp Nou side’s director Mateu Alemany told the media ‘We’ve to focus more on the market of players who are free...we done it [this summer], with many more to come.”

The Blaugrana could well be tempted into making an offer.