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Arsenal officially announce first summer transfer

12 May 2026 11:50 BST | 4 min read

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal

Cameron Smith

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

Arsenal have officially announced the permanent sale of Jakub Kiwior to FC Porto as their first summer transfer, albeit in a rather unconventional way.

The Poland international joined Francesco Farioli’s side on an initial loan deal in September, and the agreement included an option to make the transfer permanent for €17 million, plus a possible €5m in add-ons.

Kiwior has made 38 appearances for Porto so far this season, playing a pivotal role en route to their first Portuguese top flight title since 2022, and the club announced his arrival on a permanent basis last week.

“FC Porto has exercised the purchase option stipulated in the loan agreement with Arsenal FC and will now permanently own the sporting registration rights and 100% of the economic rights of Jakub Kiwior for a fixed fee of €17 million, plus a maximum variable remuneration of €5 million depending on the achievement of certain objectives. Arsenal FC will retain a fixed amount of €2 million in any potential future transfer of the player,” Porto said in a club statement posted on their website" href="https://www.fcporto.pt/pt/noticias/20260505-pt-comunicado-jakub-kiwior" target="_blank">Porto said in a club statement posted on their website.

“It is further informed that FC Porto has signed a contract with the Polish international defender valid until June 2030, with a release clause of €70 million.

“Arsenal FC will assume responsibility for the solidarity mechanism due to third parties, and FC Porto declares that this transfer did not involve any intermediary intervention.”

However, this was not accompanied by a similar message from Arsenal and the Gunners have only now confirmed Kiwior’s departure - in a ‘Loan Watch’ round-up article.

Rather than announce the Poland star’s exit in a standalone statement, Arsenal have instead used their regular ‘Loan Watch’ feature to confirm the transfer.

In the third paragraph of their latest round-up, Arsenal wrote" href="https://www.arsenal.com/news/loan-watch-sagoe-jr-flying-kafaji-reaches-final" target="_blank">Arsenal wrote: “Jakub Kiwior’s move to Porto has now become permanent following the Dragaos’ Liga Portugal title triumph last weekend. The Polish defender was an unused substitute in this weekend’s 3-1 defeat at AFS, in which the team was rotated.”

Arsenal have confirmed the permanent sale of Jakub Kiwior to Porto

Arsenal’s first summer transfer confirmed

With Kiwior’s permanent departure now confirmed, Arsenal have officially completed their first piece of transfer business of the 2026 summer window.

The club have also been tipped to sell the likes of Ben White, Gabriel Jesus and Ethan Nwaneri, while several high-profile stars have been earmarked as targets as the Gunners look to strengthen the squad at Mikel Arteta’s disposal.

Newcastle United trio Valentino Livramento, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon are all on Arsenal’s radar, as confirmed by FootballTransfers, and the north London giants are also interested in Julian Alvarez, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and several other top-name players.

Meanwhile, Piero Hincapie is set to become Arsenal’s first summer signing, with the club expected to trigger their option-to-buy clause when his loan spell from Bayer Leverkusen expires.