Socceroo giant’s $26m move to former PL champs, Arsenal fans in meltdown after signing another Chelsea reject
Socceroo Harry Souttar, who was outstanding during the World Cup campaign late last year, has become Australia’s latest Premier League player with a move from Stoke City to former champions Leicester.
Ahead of an expected confirmation by the club the move was confirmed by the BBC on European football’s transfer deadline day.
Stoke wanted Souttar to stay but Leicester’s dogged pursuit for the 24-year-old was ramped up this week.
Alex Neil, the Stoke manager, declared after the FA Cup victory over Stevenage on Sunday that he expected Souttar to stay, as negotiations between the two clubs had stalled.
Leicester submitted the offer on Monday morning and Brendan Rodgers has added Souttar to Victor Kristiansen and Tete as the third new arrival at the King Power Stadium this window.
Meanwhile Arsenal, rebuffed in a bid to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton for a club record fee, have signed Chelsea league and Champions League winner Jorginho on an 18-month deal worth $21 million.
The Gunners are five points clear at the top of the league and have midfield issues with Thomas Partey and Mo Elneny under injury clouds.
The Italian continues a line of Chelsea players past their use by date to come to the Emirates – think David Luiz, Willian, Petr Cech and William Gallas. The news was greeted with expected gloom by Arsneral fansd who have seen the Blues grab two of their top targets in Joao Felix and Mykhailo Mudryk this window.
Jorginho is set to become Arsenal’s third signing of the January window, the club having previously bought Poland defender Jakub Kiwior from Spezia for 20m euros (£17.6m) and Belgium striker Leandro Trossard, who moved from Brighton for £21m.
Jorginho has scored 29 goals in 213 appearances for Chelsea, winning the Champions League, Europa League, Uefa Super Cup and Fifa Club World Cup during his time at at the club.
The midfielder was born in Brazil but moved to Italy at the age of 15 and opted to play for the Azzurri at international level.
He has 46 international caps and was part of the Italy side that beat England to win Euro 2020 at Wembley in July 2021.