West Ham’s loss is Arsenal’s gain with £22m Jakub Kiwior deal very close

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Jakub Kiwior was emphatic when asked why he opted to stay in Serie A last summer, despite reported a £10 million bid from West Ham United. 

“I’ve never had any doubts. I’m happy here,” Spezia’s the Poland international said at the time, via Tuttosport. “I stayed with the aim of deserving my place, playing with consistency. I don’t think about the rumours.” 

Now, if it’s regular first-team football he wants, then reports suggesting that Kiwior is packing his bags and heading for Arsenal – Gianluca di Marzio reporting that he could undergo a medical at the Premier League leaders this weekend – may come as a slight surprise.  

After all, in William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, Mikel Arteta already has arguably the Premier League’s most reliable centre-back partnership at his disposal. Kiwior, who will reportedly set Arsenal back £22 million pounds, is a signing similar to that of Leandro Trossard; someone capable of providing strength-in-depth and competition for places, though far from a guaranteed starter.  

Arsenal are close to signing Spezia’s Serie A ace Jakub Kiwior

Trossard has the unenviable task of trying to oust Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. The left-footed Kiwior, meanwhile, will be going head-to-head with Gabriel. The former Lille stopper thriving for an Arsenal side five points clear of Manchester City in top spot. 

But it’s a reflection of the position Arsenal suddenly find themselves in that Kiwior, just a few months after rebuffing West Ham’s advances, is jumping at the opportunity to sign a long-term, five-and-a-half year deal with the Gunners instead (TMW). According to Polish publication Meczyki, Juventus, Napoli and AC Milan were interested in Kiwior too. 

There is a feeling that something very special is brewing at Arsenal. A squad jam-packed of talented young players all pulling in the same direction. A first Premier League title in two decades a very real possibility. And a return to the Champions League stage almost a given. 

No wonder Kiwior wants to come along for the ride.

“Oh Lord, listen to me: this is a real player!” Poland legend and Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski said of his 22-year-old compatriot during the UEFA Nations League last year. 

“I asked: ‘But who is he’? Then I saw him in the game. Extraordinary. Really great potential.” 

As Saliba, Gabriel, Martinelli and co will tell you, for up-and-coming talents hoping realise that ‘potential’, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal is the place to be.