Napoli midfielder Jorginho is on the verge of joining Chelsea, after turning down an approach from Premier League rivals Manchester City.
The Italian international had looked set to make the move to the Etihad Stadium, but instead will reunite with former Napoli tactician Maurizio Sarri, who will replace Antonio Conte as Chelsea coach.
As reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Jorginho was in Milan on Thursday as he awaited confirmation of Sarri’s appointment and his own clearance to join the West London club.
Chelsea are still finalising the deal to bring Sarri in as Conte’s successor, but owner Roman Abramovich is ready to make Jorginho the first signing of the former Empoli coach’s reign at the club.
Despite being a long-term target of Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola, Jorginho ended negotiations with the Premier League champions in order to seal a switch to Stamford Bridge.
The Brazil-born midfielder scored six goals in 160 appearances for the Partenopei since arriving from Hellas Verona in 2014, and helped the club to a record points haul of 90 in a second place finish this term.
