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By Nadji Grizzle
Posted on 4 June 2025, 16:00
Serie A champions Napoli determined to sign €35 million rated Arsenal defender - Arsenal News
Napoli are ready to again enter the race for Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior this summer, after seeing three previous advances rejected by the north London club. Arsenal is said to have slapped a price tag of €35 million on the defender, which could prove a stumbling block in the deal.
Napoli previously expressed interest in both the January and summer windows of 2024, and then again in January of 2025 – each time failing to strike a deal with Arsenal. Reports in Italy, per Yahoo Sports have tipped the newly crowned Serie A champions to once again test Arsenal’s resolve, but are only prepared at this point to offer €25 million.
The centre-back made his name in Serie A after an impressive 18-month spell with Spezia. The then Serie A club signed Kiwior for €2.4m from Slovakian side MSK Zilina in 2021, where he would go on to play an important role in the side that beat the drop in the 2021-2022 season.
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Kiwior played both as centre-back and as a holding midfielder under former manager Thiago Motta for his technical ability in tight spaces. Arsenal would then come calling midway through the following season, agreeing a deal for €19.5m in January of 2023.
Napoli chasing Kiwior
Kiwior originally had to settle for a place on the bench at Arsenal, deputizing occasionally for preferred centre-half partnership Willliam Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes. When the latter was sidelined late this season with a hamstring injury, Kiwior impressed in his absence.
Strong in the tackle and calm in possession, Kiwior was a mainstay in the Arsenal side that made their first Champions League semi-final appearance since 2009. He looked comfortable against Kylian Mbappe and Rodrygo as Arsenal stunned Real Madrid 5-1 on aggregate in the Champions League quarter-final. He was solid again against Ousmane Dembele in the semi-final despite Arsenal’s elimination at the hands of PSG.
He played the final stages of the Premier League campaign as well, as Arsenal secured Champions League football once more after a third successive runners-up finish. His bulleted header against Crystal Palace on April 23rd was his first and only goal of the season, showing his aerial ability on both ends of the pitch.
A left footed player, Kiwior also deputizes at left back on occasion and made 17 Premier League appearances this season.
With Arsenal thin in defensive cover, this deal is seen as difficult for Napoli or any potential suitor to complete.
Juventus and Milan are also credited with interest in the player but will have to stump up the cash Arsenal is demanding.
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