Transfer Centre

AC Milan 'to rekindle interest in Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior'

By Devesh Jaganath | 10 February 2024

AC Milan 'to rekindle interest in Arsenal's Kiwior'

Arsenal are reportedly expecting defender Jakub Kiwior to once again be a top target for AC Milan in the summer after turning down the Serie A club in the January window.

Arsenal are reportedly expecting defender Jakub Kiwior to once again be a top target for AC Milan in the summer after turning down the Serie A club in the January transfer window.

In January, Milan were among several Serie A sides to express an interest in Kiwior, but Arsenal made it clear that the defender was not for sale.

Injuries in defence have plagued Mikel Arteta's side, and they were reluctant to leave themselves short at the back for the second half of the season.

In an interview during the January transfer window, Kiwior's agent Pawel Ziemonczyk told Polish television: "Kuba (Jakub Kiwior) is an Arsenal player. There are no signals that they want to get rid of him, and I don't think anything will happen in the winter window."

Despite Arsenal's firm stance that the 23-year-old was not for sale last month, Milan are poised to renew their interest in Kiwior during the summer transfer window, according to the Evening Standard.

Poland's Jakub Kiwior celebrates scoring their first goal before it is disallowed on September 10, 2023 © Reuters

The report adds that if Arsenal do decide to allow Kiwior to leave in the summer, Milan are likely to face competition to secure the defender's signature.

Several clubs across Europe, including Sevilla - who were linked with a possible move for Kiwior last summer - are believed to be keeping tabs on his availability.

While Kiwior is yet to establish himself as a first-team regular, he has been getting more minutes recently and was brought on at the break during Sunday's crucial 3-1 victory over Liverpool.

In addition, Oleksandr Zinchenko sustained a calf injury against The Reds, which could open the door for Kiwior to make the starting 11 against West Ham United this weekend.

Ajax defender Jorrel Hato pictured in October 2023 © Reuters

However, it is also understood that Arsenal are expected to bolster their defence in the summer and have been linked with a move for Ajax's versatile teenager Jorrel Hato.

Like Kiwior, Hato is equally comfortable at left-back or in central defence.

Kiwior joined Arsenal from Spezia a year ago in a deal that could potentially reach a total value of £21m.

The Polish international signed a contract that runs until the summer of 2027, with an option for an additional 12 months.