Spezia and Poland centre-back Jakub Kiwior has reportedly completed his Arsenal medical ahead of a €25m (£22m) switch to the Premier League leaders.
On Friday, it was suddenly announced that the Gunners were closing in on a move for the 22-year-old, who is poised to join on a five-and-a-half year contract until 2028.
Kiwior has earned plaudits for his performances in the heart of the Spezia backline since joining in 2021, and his contract with the Serie A club was not due to expire until 2025.
However, Arsenal have moved quickly to wrap up a deal for the Poland international as Mikel Arteta aims to beef up his defence for the second half of the campaign.
According to journalist Charles Watts - via football.london - Kiwior has now successfully completed his medical tests at London Colney and has been busy meeting his new teammates.
🚨 Spezia defender Jakub Kiwior leaving Italy to travel to London for his Arsenal medical this morning. ✈️ [@skysports_sheth] #afc pic.twitter.com/KReyVSfWWm
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) January 21, 2023
Kiwior was pictured heading to the airport earlier on Saturday as he prepares to finalise his move to Arsenal, and he is expected to be in the stands when the Gunners face Manchester United at the Emirates on Sunday.
Arsenal and Spezia are understood to have signed all the necessary documents on Friday, and the Gunners have beaten Chelsea, Napoli, Juventus and Inter Milan to Kiwior's signature.
The left-footed centre-back - who has also acted as a full-back and defensive midfielder at club level - has made 43 appearances for Spezia in all competitions since joining from MSK Zilina in August 2021.
Kiwior only made his debut for the senior Poland team in June, but he started all four games for his nation at the World Cup as they reached the last 16 before losing to France.
The defender will become Arsenal's second signing of the January window following the acquisition of Leandro Trossard, who joined for an initial £21m fee from Brighton & Hove Albion on Friday.
© Reuters
Trossard could potentially make his debut against Man United on Monday, with the Gunners managing to register the Belgian attacker before Friday's 12pm deadline.
While primarily arriving to compete and cover for Gabriel Magalhaes, Kiwior arrives in North London at a time when the Gunners are working to tie William Saliba down to a new contract.
The 21-year-old only has 18 months left to run on his current deal after Arsenal activated a one-year extension, but he recently hinted that he would be prepared to extend his stay in the capital.
"I am so happy here. The club is speaking with my agent and me, the only thing I can do is [focus on my football]. I am so happy here," Saliba told reporters after last weekend's North London derby win over Tottenham Hotspur.
Arsenal sit five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table and could extend their advantage of Man United to 11 points with victory on Sunday.
Ben Knapton
