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Barcelona 'keeping tabs on Chelsea's Jorginho'

Barcelona 'keeping tabs on Chelsea's Jorginho'
© Reuters
Barcelona are reportedly keeping a close eye on the situation of Chelsea midfielder Jorginho, who is out of contract at the end of the season.

Barcelona are reportedly keeping a close eye on Jorginho's contract situation at Chelsea.

The 30-year-old is due to become a free agent at the end of the current campaign and will be free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs in January.

Jorginho is facing stiff competition for places in the Blues midfield, with Mateo Kovacic, N'Golo Kante, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Conor Gallagher all vying for starting berths.

Carney Chukwuemeka also arrived from Aston Villa in the summer, but Jorginho has remained a key figure for Chelsea with starts in five Premier League games from six so far this term.

Having spent £51.3m to lure the Italy international away from Napoli in 2018, Chelsea are now at risk of losing Jorginho on a free transfer, and he is not expected to be short of offers in 2023.

Jorginho celebrates scoring for Chelsea on August 6, 2022© Reuters

According to The Sun, Barcelona are hoping to strike a deal for Jorginho if he becomes a free agent as they seek a long-term replacement for Sergio Busquets.

Busquets will turn 35 next summer and is also due to become a free agent at the end of the season, and Xavi supposedly accepts that the veteran will soon need a successor.

Jorginho was named in the starting XI for Graham Potter's first game in charge against Red Bull Salzburg, but it remains to be seen if the Blues boss will sanction a new deal for the Italian.

During his four-year spell at Chelsea, Jorginho has racked up 27 goals and nine assists in 196 outings for the West London club, winning a total of four trophies in that time.

Jorginho has helped the Blues win the Champions League, the Club World Cup, the UEFA Super Cup and the Europa League, as well as being named the UEFA Best Player in Europe in 2021 after becoming European champion with Italy.

Sergio Busquets in action for Barcelona on September 13, 2022© Reuters

Barcelona boss Xavi has preferred Gavi and Pedri to start either side of Busquets so far this term, and the former penned a new long-term deal with the Blaugrana earlier this month.

Franck Kessie also arrived on a free transfer from AC Milan to boost the Blaugrana's options, while Frenkie de Jong resisted interest from Manchester United to stay at Camp Nou.

However, the Netherlands international is still understood to be on the radar of the Red Devils, who could try again for his signature in the January transfer window.

Barcelona returned to winning ways with a 3-0 La Liga success over Elche at the weekend and have temporarily risen above Real Madrid to the top of the standings before Los Blancos take on local rivals Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

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