Medical scheduled, as Arsenal reach ‘total agreement’ for surprise signing of €25m Serie A centre-back
Arsenal are about to complete the signing of a promising Serie A defender, who is due for a medical over the weekend, according to some of Italy’s most respected sources.
With Brighton winger Leandro Trossard all set to become an Arsenal player, the focus has quickly turned to who else the club can add to their squad. Currently top of the Premier League, they want to keep pushing and need depth to give themselves the best chance.
Defence is one area they are thinking about reinforcing. For example, they might need to sign a new right-back if current deputy Cedric Soares completes a departure.
But Arsenal’s next signing after Trossard will not be of a full-back, but of a left-footed centre-back.
News emerged from Poland on Friday that Arsenal have been closing in on a deal for Spezia centre-back, Jakub Kiwior. Now, Meczyki‘s scoop has been verified by some trustworthy sources as the deal progresses.
Fabrizio Romano has since described the deal as “very advanced”, while Gianluca Di Marzio has revealed there is a “total agreement” between Arsenal and Spezia regarding the transfer fee for Kiwior.
The Gunners have succeeded with a bid worth €25million (just under £22m), plus add-ons.
Di Marzio has added that Kiwior will take a flight to London on either Saturday night or Sunday. Then, he can complete his medical and sign his contract.
According to Romano, the Polish player has agreed to a five-year contract with Arsenal, who will be bringing him to the Premier League for the first time in his career.
The news that the move is imminent has also been backed up by sources closer to home, such as The Athletic (via David Ornstein) and talkSPORT.
Kiwior earns Arsenal move after outgrowing Spezia
Kiwior, who is 22 years old, has been with Spezia since 2021. He has made 43 appearances for them so far, 20 of which have come this season.
Kiwior helped Spezia avoid relegation by finishing 16th in Serie A last season. At present, Spezia are 15th in the Italian top flight this season.
It has been clear for a while that Kiwior may be outgrowing them already and is destined for bigger things. There have been links with Tottenham and West Ham, but Arsenal are about to win the race for him.
Now, he is ready to make the leap to the Premier League leaders. As a left-footed centre-back, he will provide competition for Gabriel Magalhaes mainly.
Arsenal’s defence also consists of the right-footed Benjamin White, William Saliba and Rob Holding.
Across their whole squad, they have been recruiting with an eye to the future. Kiwior, who spent time in Anderlecht’s academy and has also represented Zeleziarne Podbrezova and Zilina in the past, will be the next to comply with that policy.
A member of the senior Poland national team with nine caps to his name so far, including four from the recent World Cup, Kiwior has been making a name for himself. Soon, he will get to show what he can do in English football.
He might not be an instant starter straight away, but is the kind of prospect that Mikel Arteta can nurture. His potential is high and it will soon be over to Arsenal to maximise it.
