Arsenal star's agents field enquiries over January transfer after summer loan blocked
Arsenal turned down loan approaches for Jakub Kiwior in the summer but interest has not waned in the Poland international as he has started just one game in the Premier League so far this season
CARSON, CALIFORNIA - JULY 24: Jakub Kiwior #15 of Arsenal FC celebrates after scoring during the penalty kick shootout against AFC Bournemouth at Dignity Health Sports Park on July 24, 2024 in Carson, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)
Jakub Kiwior has struggled for minutes so far this season at Arsenal (
Image: Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)
Arsenal are expected to resist January approaches for Jakub Kiwior amid renewed interest from Europe.
The Polish international defender impressed in midweek when he made his first start of the Premier League season in the 2-0 shutout of Manchester United, filling in for the injured Gabriel Magalhaes.
And in recent weeks, Kiwior's representatives have once again received enquiries about their client's availability due to his lack of minutes this term.
Italian giants Napoli are amongst a list of potential suitors, though they are yet to enter formal talks - contrary to reports, while AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus are also admirers of the 24-year-old.
However, Arsenal were firm in August when they told the player and his agents FairSport that he would not be allowed to leave north London following various proposals.
Bologna and Villarreal were keen to sign Kiwior on loan but Mikel Arteta was reluctant to weaken his squad and anticipated that the centre-back would receive opportunities over the course of a long campaign.
While the Pole remains on the fringes of Arteta's squad - Arsenal still value his versatility and favour keeping Kiwior until at least the end of the season when his future could be reassessed.
The sticking point is whether Kiwior himself is prepared to sit around and warm the bench when regular football is potentially on offer elsewhere. It's thought he would have to push for an exit to be granted a transfer.
Arsenal still rate the former Spezia man highly and feel his value has increased since they paid the Italian outfit £20million for his services back in January 2023.
Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior is attracting interest from Europe (
Image:
Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
But with Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu currently sidelined through injury, Arsenal's numbers are depleted at the back and Kiwior remains an important member of Arteta's title-chasing ranks.
Additionally, Riccardo Calafiori has battled various niggles alongside the knee injury he sustained against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League back in October and his fitness is persistently being managed.
The feeling internally at Arsenal is that they will need to maximise the usage of their squad if they are to make a success of the current season and exits are not a necessity.
Kiwior can play at either centre-back or left-back and enjoyed a notable run of games last season between February and March when he locked down a starting berth at full-back.
Defensive reinforcements would likely be required for Arsenal to soften their transfer stance - unless they received a competitive offer that was deemed simply too good to refuse.
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