Arsenal Kiwior standoff as high valuation, limited role, are looming exit saga. The future of Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior standoff in the balance as the Gunners maintain a firm €35 million (£30.3 million) asking price for the 25-year-old, rejecting FC Porto’s structured €27 million bid and setting the stage for a potential late-window move to AC Milan. This high-stakes transfer poker reflects Arsenal’s strategic squad management and Kiwior’s desire for regular football.
Arsenal’s Uncompromising Valuation
Despite limited starts (just 10 Premier League matches in 2023/24), Arsenal have adopted a hardline stance on Kiwior’s value:
Rejected Porto’s Offer: Turned down a €7m loan fee + €20m mandatory purchase deal (total €27m) in July, deeming it insufficient.
€35m Minimum Demand: Insist any permanent sale must exceed this threshold, citing his age (25), versatility (CB/LB), and performances in high-pressure UCL matches against Real Madrid.
No Distress Sale: With new signing Cristhian Mosquera (£13m from Valencia) providing defensive cover, Arsenal refuse to lower their price for a player Arteta once praised as “exceptional” during Gabriel’s injury absence.
Porto’s subsequent pivot to Southampton’s Jan Bednarek (£6.5m) validated Arsenal’s belief that their valuation was justified, not inflated.
🚨 Jakub Kiwior is open to leaving for a club where he can be a regular starter. Arsenal are in no rush to sell, however & none of the clubs tracking Kiwior have yet met their asking price. [@gunnerblog] pic.twitter.com/H69Giq5IfB
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) August 12, 2025
Kiwior’s Frustration and Milan’s Opportunity
Kiwior’s camp has signaled a growing urgency for resolution:
Seeking Guaranteed Starts: Unwilling to remain a backup behind Saliba and Gabriel, Kiwior prioritizes playing time to cement his Poland national team spot.
AC Milan’s Concrete Interest: The Serie A giants accelerated talks after selling Malick Thiaw to Newcastle for £35m. Kiwior is viewed as an ideal replacement—a left-footed defender with Champions League experience.
Juventus’ Shadow Interest: Gazzetta dello Sport notes Juve’s monitoring of Kiwior should they sell Lloyd Kelly, though Milan leads the race.
Arteta’s pre-season reliance on Kiwior—due to injuries to Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori—paradoxically showcased his value while reinforcing his frustration as a contingency player.
Arsenal’s Squad Strategy: Balancing Depth and Finances
The Gunners’ stance intertwines with broader squad recalibration:
Financial Flexibility: Despite spending ~£190m this summer (Gyokeres, Zubimendi, Madueke), Arsenal aim for a net-positive window. Sales like Kiwior’s could fund moves for Eberechi Eze or cover Rodrygo’s loan costs.
Squad Evolution: Mosquera’s arrival and Myles Lewis-Skelly’s emergence reduced Kiwior’s long-term prospects. Oleksandr Zinchenko faces similar pressure amid AC Milan’s interest.
Injury Hedge: Gabriel’s delayed pre-season return means Arsenal may delay a sale until securing a replacement or ensuring Mosquera’s readiness.
🚨NEW
Jakub Kiwior is open to leaving Arsenal for a club offering regular starts. The Gunners are in no rush to sell their versatile defender, with clubs interested yet to meet his asking price. pic.twitter.com/wDIQQMdb6U
— Arsenal Team (@_ArsenalTeam) August 12, 2025
The Domino Effect: Thiaw, Timing, and Negotiation Leverage
Milan’s £35m windfall from Thiaw’s move to Newcastle directly impacts Kiwior’s trajectory. Moreover, Arsenal recognize Milan’s sudden liquidity and need for a like-for-like successor, potentially using this to hold firm on their €35m demand. However, Milan’s history of structured deals (e.g., Porto’s rejected loan-to-buy formula for Kiwior) could complicate negotiations.
What Comes Next: Three Likely Scenarios
1. Milan Meets Asking Price (£30m+): Most probable outcome. Milan’s Thiaw funds enable a cash deal, satisfying Arsenal and granting Kiwior a starting role.
2. Loan with Obligation: Arsenal compromise for a fee mirroring Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling deal. For e.g., €10m loan + €25m obligation, but only if terms hit their valuation.
3. January Departure: Should Arsenal’s defensive injuries persist, Kiwior stays until winter—a suboptimal outcome for the player.
The Road Ahead
Arteta’s dilemma encapsulates modern elite squad management: retain a capable deputy for title/Champions League depth, or facilitate his ambitions while banking pure profit (Kiwior joined for £20m in 2023). Moreover, with Mosquera’s arrival and Zinchenko’s exit talks progressing, Arsenal appear prepared to cash in—but strictly on their terms. As bids circle and Kiwior’s patience thins, this stalemate’s resolution will reveal whether Arsenal’s tough negotiating yields a windfall or a fractured relationship.
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