Jakub Kiwior has linked up with the Arsenal squad for Saturday’s match against Leeds United, but talks over a transfer to FC Porto will reportedly resume on Sunday.
Jakub Kiwior was absent from Arsenal’s matchday squad for their opening game of the season against Manchester United, but the defender was spotted with the team on Saturday morning ahead of their first home fixture against Leeds United.
O Jogo report that Kiwior is expected to be a substitute for the Leeds game, but he remains a clear summer target for FC Porto.
Porto are reportedly disappointed with how negotiations for Kiwior are progressing, having hoped to take concrete steps towards the signing in the last few days. But talks will restart on Sunday, and the next few days are viewed as decisive.
O Jogo claim there’s a “strong hope” that the deal will eventually go through, but it’s still not even clear at this stage what structure the transfer might take.
It could be a permanent transfer, or it could be a loan with a purchase clause.
Ben Jacobs had recently reported that Porto were in talks with Arsenal over a loan with an obligation to buy, with Ryan Taylor also writing for the Mirror that the club want a loan and obligation package.
It seems unlikely Arsenal would accept a loan with an option to buy, and the Gunners don’t seem desperate to sell in any case. They’ve already turned down a loan-with-obligation bid of €27m from Porto, sticking to a valuation of €35m+.
For the time being, Kiwior remains available to play for Arsenal, providing cover for Gabriel Magalhaes. With the Brazilian centre-back only recently returning from injury, the Poland international could well be called upon from the bench this weekend.