Director opens door for £20m Arsenal ace to leave Emirates in January

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Roma are reportedly interested in Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior and director Tiago Pinto appears to have thrown open the doors to a January move for the £20 million Premier League benchwarmer. 

Handed a rare start by Mikel Arteta in midweek – only his sixth of 2023/24 – the Poland international certainly didn’t do his hopes of more regular action much good in Eindhoven.

Yes, Jakub Kiwior was fielded at left-back rather than in his favoured centre-half role. But the sight of the Arsenal man chasing shadows as Johan Bakayoko turned him inside out during Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with PSV will not have had Gabriel Magalhaes fearing for his spot. 

Roma eye Arsenal’s Jakub Kiwior

Kiwior has been linked with a return to Italy during the January transfer window, Roma reportedly among those keen on the former Spezia stopper (Leggo). 

And while Roma’s Financial Fair Play situation means that they could be limited to short-term loan deals, the Gialorossi director did admit that a defender is needed to boost Jose Mourinho’s absence-hit backline.

“It is clear that we are struggling in that area,” Pinto told Sky Sports Italia after midfielder Bryan Cristante and full-back Zeki Celik were forced into the centre during the 3-0 Europa League victory over Sheriff Tiraspol. 

“Chris Smalling had this injury, we’ll see when he is back. There is no date yet as it is a delicate situation. Marash Kumbulla is training with the squad, but still not in contact with anyone. With (Evan) Ndicka going to the Africa Cup of Nations, obviously that is going to be a problem.

“We need to do something on the market, we all agree on that, but we also have Financial Fair Play perimeters that we have to stay within.” 

Jose Mourinho needs defenders

Arsenal may actually be more open to loaning Kiwior out rather than selling a player who only joined the club 11 months ago. Should Kiwior impress in the Italian capital, The Gunners could then use that as leverage if they wanted to sell him on for a profit.