Napoli have been on Jakub Kiwior’s case since last summer, but Arsenal still haven’t opened the door to a January transfer, according to a report.
Following links between Napoli and Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior over the last week, Alfredo Pedulla confirms that the Serie A side initially sounded out the player last summer, and Antonio Conte is a far of the defender’s profile.
Pedulla also confirms that Kiwior wants to play more, which is unsurprising, but the journalist adds that Arsenal haven’t opened the door for the 24-year-old to leave on loan – which is seemingly what Napoli want.
If Napoli are to sign Kiwior in the January transfer window, Mikel Arteta would first need to give the green light. That hasn’t happened yet.
Il Mattino recently reported that Kiwior was unhappy with Arteta’s decision to drop him from the starting lineup over the weekend.
The centre-back played 90 minutes against Manchester United, Fulham, and AS Monaco, with the Gunners only conceding a single goal across the three games.
Kiwior may have felt that was enough to keep his place when Gabriel Magalhaes returned from injury, but the Brazilian immediately returned to the starting lineup on Saturday.
Il Mattino added that Kiwior had asked to be sold, and that Napoli were pushing to sign him. They claimed the Serie A club could make a move in January, and that talks are planned with the player’s representatives in the next few days.
Italian clubs have consistently been linked with Kiwior, likely in part due to his history in Serie A. The Poland international has already proven he can be a success in the country with Spezia, so the incentive is there to pick him up if Arsenal make him available.
For now, Kiwior will be preparing for Arsenal’s League Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace, having played every minute of the Gunners’ two games in the competition so far.