Report: What Mikel Arteta has privately told Jakub Kiwior about January after Arsenal set massive asking price
Yesterday at 06:15 AM
Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior has been attracting transfer interest from clubs for several months now.
The Poland international joined the Gunners from Spezia in January 2023. He was brought in as a backup to Gabriel Magalhaes at centre-half, but he has featured at left-back on several occasions as well.
Kiwior, on his day, is a fantastic defender. He’s good on the ball, mostly solid without it and his versatility makes him a great asset.
However, he is not the first-choice at Arsenal and probably will never be. That has led to speculation about his future ahead of the January transfer window.
The massive transfer fee Arsenal want for Jakub Kiwior
Arsenal signed Kiwior for just £20 million in 2022.
The Pole has definitely become more popular in Europe since his move to the Emirates, but the fact that he is not a regular makes it difficult for the Gunners to make big money if they sell him.
However, that hasn’t stopped the North Londoners from slapping a massive price tag on Kiwior.
CaughtOffside claim that Arsenal will demand a fee of around £45 million if clubs come calling for Kiwior in the January transfer window.
However, Arteta’s stance is to keep hold of the defender next month and the Arsenal manager has even privately communicated the same to the player.
“Mikel Arteta has spoken to Jakub and told him that he does not want to let him leave in January and wants to give him more playing time in the coming weeks,” a source close to Arsenal told the outlet.
The report adds that Kiwior has not ruled out a return to Italy, but his priority at the moment is to stay at Arsenal – on the condition that he gets more game time.
TBR Football can confirm that Arsenal and Arteta love Kiwior, and he is the least likely among himself, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney to leave in January.
Nine clubs want to sign Kiwior in January
If Kiwior changes his mind and decides to leave Arsenal in the winter window, the Pole will not be short of options.
The 24-year-old made a fantastic name for himself in Italy during his time at Spezia. The impression he made there has not been forgotten – several Serie A sides are keen to sign him.
The report claims that AC Milan and Napoli would be the frontrunners if a move was to happen next month. The two Italian giants have expressed their interest in signing him.
Along with them, Fiorentina, Juventus, Inter Milan and Atalanta are also keen to bring Kiwior to Italy in the first window of 2025.
The three other clubs interested in Kiwior are Villarreal, Olympique Marseille and Sevilla.
