CHELSEA are reportedly in talks with Juventus over a £35m Jorginho transfer with Sarri keen to link-up with the midfielder for a third time.
The former Blues boss is a long standing admirer of the midfielder, who used to play under the Italian at Napoli before following him to Stamford Bridge in 2018.
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According to The National, Juve are in the midst of hashing out a deal with the Chelsea ace’s entourage.
The midfield maestro was brought to West London or £57.4million, but Sarri jumped ship at the end of his first season at Stamford Bridge, replacing Massimiliano Allegri as boss of the Old Lady.
Jorginho struggled during his first campaign in West London and received stick from fans for being the Italian gaffer’s go-to-guy.
But the 28-year-old has been revitalised under new boss Frank Lampard and, before the top flight was KO’d by coronavirus, he had clocked up 37 appearances in all competitions, scoring seven goals and registering two assists.
The Italian’s agent insisted last month that his client was “very happy” at Stamford Bridge and was set to open talks on a new deal.
But Chelsea are already expected to lose Pedro and Willian on free transfers when their contracts expire in the summer so may be tempted to cash in on Jourginho to raise the funds for their own transfer wishlist.
Lamps has been eyeing a move for West Ham’s Declan Rice who could replace the Italian in midfield.
Recent comments made by the 21-year-old suggested he would be open to a move back to Chelsea and a reunion with good pal and former academy team-mate Mason Mount.
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Jorginho’s Italy teammate Bernardeschi, 26, could be offered as a sweetener by Juve to firm up the deal.
He has not been as productive in Turin as he was with the Viola and has slipped down the pecking order under Sarri, with only 21 outings for Juve this season, recording just one Champions League goal and a solitary assist in Coppa Italia competition.