Serie A winners Napoli are back in the mix for Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior again this summer, according to reports from Italy.
arsenal fc v real madrid cf uefa champions league 2024 25 quarter final first leg 9
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
La Gazzetta dello Sport report in their print edition on Monday, June 2nd that Antonio Conte wants to sign a defender for his Napoli side this summer, and Arsenal’s Jakub Kiwior is one of the players he’s considering.
Gazzetta point out that Kiwior has raised his stock with his strong performances in Gabriel Magalhaes’ absence, but add that Napoli aren’t ruling out heavy investment this summer.
Kiwior isn’t Napoli’s only option though, with Conte also a fan of Federico Gatti of Juventus. Sporting director Giovanni Manna also knows Gatti well from his time with Juventus, so perhaps that’s the more likely alternative.
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 08: William Saliba (R) and Jakub Kiwior (L) of Arsenal celebrate at the final whistle after their team's 3-0 victory in the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg match between Arsenal FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Emirates Stadium on April 08, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
This is far from the first time Kiwior has been linked with Napoli, with reports emerging ahead of the January 2024 window, then the summer 2024 window, then the January 2025 window.
This is just the latest report in a long-running saga connecting the Arsenal player with the Italian club.
Kiwior is often linked with Serie A sides, likely as a result of his experience in the league. The centre-back spent a year and a half with Spezia, which is where he drew Arsenal’s attention in the first place.
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 23: Jakub Kiwior of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Emirates Stadium on November 23, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
It’s hard to see Kiwior leaving this summer unless Arsenal have an alternative signing lined up. The Gunners are simply too short at the back, especially with all the injuries.
Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba both ended the season injured, as did potential covering centre-backs Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu. Kiwior is one of few players Arsenal have been able to rely on.
The 25-year-old also shook off many of the doubts around his performances with his run in the team at the end of 2024/25, proving a capable replacement for Gabriel.
It would have to be a significant bid indeed for Napoli to have a hope of convincing Arsenal to sell an important player under contract until 2028.
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