Arsenal midfielder Jorginho has admitted that he would consider moving to Brazil once he leaves the club.
The 33-year-old has played more than 50 times at senior international level for Italy but was born and raised in Brazil before moving to Europe as a teenager.
He is out of contract with Arsenal in June and will leave the Gunners as a free agent in the summer if an agreement for him to stay on at the Emirates Stadium is not reached.
Brazilian top-flight club Flamengo were interested in signing Jorginho in January. While Arsenal were unwilling to enter into a deal then, they remain keen on the ex-Chelsea man ahead of the summer.
Jorginho’s agent was in the stands last weekend to watch Flamengo win the Campeonato Carioca title against Fluminense. Jorginho and his wife are currently in Rio de Janeiro but explained they are simply on holiday during the international break.
“I don’t believe that I missed out. But I am curious, today, to know what it’s like [to play in Brazil], to experience it,” Jorginho told ESPN Brasil.
“But for my growth, playing professionally was not a problem. What helped me was when I was a child, for my growth.
“In Brazil it’s different. I played barefoot on the street, on the beach. I think that helped me a lot in terms of growing up in contact with the ball.”
Flamengo’s sporting director, José Boto, said he is awaiting Jorginho’s decision as to whether he will sign for the club following reports that he will be offered a three-year contract worth around £8million.
“Right now, the ball is in his court, and he usually treats the ball well,” Boto said.
“I hope he treats it well in the sense that it is better for him and for us. In other words, he will come to Flamengo.
“If everything goes well, he will play in the [Club] World Cup for Flamengo. The league ends in May, the players change clubs and there is an agreement between the clubs to release the athletes as soon as the season ends.”
