Napoli are prioritising a move for Jakub Kiwior in January, with the Serie A club keen to add a defender to their ranks.
Italian outlet Il Mattino report that Napoli’s defensive issues are making it increasingly clear that they need a new signing at centre-back, and Jakub Kiwior is top of their list.
Napoli have a budget of €30-40m to spend in the winter window, but they won’t part with any of it unless they think they’re getting a good deal.
Arsenal aren’t showing any interest in loaning Kiwior out, and the report claims the Gunners are asking for €25m.
Intermediaries are reportedly working on the deal, but we’ve heard similar things about AC Milan, with Italian outlets claiming Milan are also in talks over the player.
Napoli are also considering Clement Lenglet of Aston Villa, who joined Unai Emery’s side on loan over the summer.
Lenglet looks likely to return to Barcelona in January due to his lack of regular minutes, having only played for Villa in the Europa Conference League. The defender hasn’t made it onto the pitch for a single Premier League appearance.
Barcelona would presumably be a lot more willing to loan Lenglet than Arsenal with Kiwior.
It’s difficult to see Arsenal letting Kiwior go in the January transfer window at all. With Takehiro Tomiyasu’s ongoing injury problems and Jurrien Timber still out, Arsenal are very short at centre-back.
Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba are the starting duo for Mikel Arteta, and it would take a lot to change that. But Kiwior is clearly the first player in line whenever either of the players in front of him need a rest.
If Arsenal sold Kiwior in January, they would have to buy a replacement. So until we see serious links to a defensive incoming, Kiwior won’t be going anywhere.