Arsenal is preparing for potential interest from Italian clubs in Jakub Kiwior during the upcoming summer transfer window, as per a report.
Kiwior, who joined the Premier League side from Spezia for approximately £22 million last January, has appeared in 26 matches for the club. While he hasn’t been a regular starter under Mikel Arteta, injuries to Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu have provided him with opportunities to showcase his abilities at left-back, despite being a natural central defender. This tactical adaptation, exemplified by Pep Guardiola and even Arteta with Benjamin White, suggests a trend of center-backs assuming full-back roles.
Although Kiwior’s performances haven’t consistently impressed, he displayed one of his better outings for Arsenal in the recent 3-1 victory over Liverpool, coming off the bench at halftime for Zinchenko.
Speculation surrounding Kiwior’s future intensified during the January transfer window, with Serie A clubs reportedly expressing interest. AC Milan, among others, were strongly linked with a potential move, and it seems their interest persists.
According to Standard Sport, Italian clubs, including Milan, will target the 19-cap Polish defender in the summer transfer window after failing to secure his services last month. Arsenal made it clear in January that Kiwior was not available for sale or loan, with Arteta wary of leaving defensive gaps in the squad for the remainder of the season.
However, Milan and other interested clubs are prepared to reignite their pursuit to gauge if Arsenal might consider selling or loaning out the player at the end of the season.
There’s a possibility that Arsenal may consider offloading Kiwior, with Arteta reportedly eyeing Ajax prodigy Jorrel Hato. Hato, who has caught Arteta’s attention, is also being considered for possible defensive reinforcements. The 17-year-old, capable of playing as a left-back and central defender, could serve as an ideal replacement for Kiwior if he departs.
Despite his youth, Hato has been a regular for Ajax this season, even leading the team in a Europa League match against AEK Athens. Expressing aspirations similar to Jurrien Timber’s move to the Premier League, Hato has conveyed his desire to follow suit in the future, acknowledging that he still has much to achieve in his career.
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