Arsenal are moving quicker in the ongoing winter transfer market, after missing out on their prime target Mykhaylo Mudryk. The Gunners pursued the Ukrainian winger fiercely, until Chelsea flew away with him by agreeing a package of £88m including £61m as fixed fee with Shakhtar. Arsenal then faced a race against time to find an alternative and striker a deal within a span of two weeks.
And now, within a space of 48 hours, the Gunners would have completed two deals. Brighton’s versatile winger Leonardo Trossard was announced yesterday, signed for £27m, who could be followed by Polish defender Jakub Kiwior in the next hours. Arsenal have reportedly struck a deal for the 22-year-old centre-back who could move to north London this month itself.
Kiwior to undergo Arsenal medical after £20m deal agreed
Arsenal were once again quick and quiet in moving for Kiwior, who was on the shortlist of Spezia’s fellow Serie A rivals AC Milan and Juventus. The youngster however has chosen a move to Premier League with the Gunners, who were waiting to pounce on the talented player. Kiwior had only signed for Spezia in the summer of 2021 from Slovakian side MSK Zilina.
The Italian side had paid a mere £2m for the defender’s acquisition, and are now set to earn a 10x profit on his sale. According to Charles Watts, Arsenal’s correspondent for GOAL, the Premier League leaders have agreed a £20m deal for Kiwior, who is now expected to fly to London to undergo his medical at the club and complete his imminent transfer.
The journalist has further reported that Kiwior will be locked in with a long term contract, which will run until the summer of 2028, that is a 5.5-year-deal. The Poland international is believed to strengthen Arsenal’s squad depth, which could be crucial to their title challenge. Moreover, bringing in a backup for Gabriel Magalhaes was already on Mikel Arteta’s priority list, with the acquisition of Kiwior, a left-footed centre-back, ticking that box as well.
Kiwior immediately shot to prominence after making a huge impact in his debut season at Spezia, helping them to avoid relegation. That also earned him his debut for the Poland national team in June last year and a ticket to Qatar for the World Cup, where his solid displays while coming up against Argentina’s Lionel Messi in the group stage and France’s Kylian Mbappe in the Round of 16 were highly appreciated.
This season as well, Kiwior has made 20 appearances in all competitions for Spezia, wherein he has also been utilised as a holding midfielder. No wonder his versatility, alongside his tender age of 22 were among the major factors behind Arsenal swooping in for him for £20m. While providing a natural cover for Gabriel, who has featured in 25 of Arsenal’s 26 games so far, Kiwior can also be used to provide Granit Xhaka an occasional rest.
Kiwior has a vast area for improvement under Arteta, who is known for grooming young players into absolute stars. All things said, the 11-cap Poland international may not be available for the Manchester United showdown at the weekend unlike Trossard whose registration has been done in time to welcome the Red Devils. However, Kiwior could still be in the stands at the Emirates to watch his new club in action.