Jakub Kiwior is pushing for a transfer after dropping back to the bench against Everton on Saturday, with Napoli reportedly pressing hard for his signature.
arsenal fc v manchester united fc premier league 6
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Italian outlet Il Mattino report (via TuttoJuve) that Jakub Kiwior hasn’t accepted Mikel Arteta’s decision to drop him from the starting lineup over the weekend, in favour of Gabriel Magalhaes.
Kiwior has reportedly asked to be sold, and Napoli are pushing to sign him. The Serie A club could make a move in January, and talks are planned with the player’s representatives.
Il Mattino claim Kiwior is the first name on Antonio Conte’s list of potential defensive signings for Napoli, and the meeting with the player’s agents will take place in the next few days.
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)
Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images
Transfer talk around Kiwior has been intensifying throughout the season so far, with Charles Watts reporting last month that if a decent offer arrived in January, he believed Arsenal would consider it.
Italian clubs have consistently been linked with Kiwior, likely in part due to his history in Serie A. The 24-year-old has already proven he can be a success in the country with Spezia, so the incentive is there to pick him up if Arsenal make him available.
Yet the talk died down as Kiwior returned to Arsenal’s starting lineup in recent matches. The centre-back played 90 minutes against Manchester United, Fulham, and AS Monaco, with the Gunners only conceding a single goal across the three games.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 31: Jakub Kiwior #15 of Arsenal heads the ball during the match against Liverpool FC at Lincoln Financial Field on July 31, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Liverpool won 2-1. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images
Kiwior may have felt that was enough to keep his place when Gabriel returned from injury, but the Brazilian immediately returned to the starting lineup on Saturday.
There are still a few more games to play before the January window opens, starting with the League Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
Kiwior has played every minute of Arsenal’s two League Cup games so far, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him back in the lineup in midweek.
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