The past few weeks have been a rollercoaster ride for Jakub Kiwior, the Polish defender who has been struggling to establish himself as a regular starter at Arsenal. Despite some impressive performances, including a key role in the 2-0 win over Manchester United, Kiwior has often found himself on the bench, with Brazilian defender Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori preferred by manager Mikel Arteta.
As a result, speculation about Kiwior’s future at the Emirates Stadium has been rampant, with many believing that he will be sold in the winter transfer window. Napoli, the Italian Serie A club, has been heavily linked with the 22-year-old defender, with reports suggesting that they are willing to pay up to €30 million for his services.
However, it appears that Napoli’s pursuit of Kiwior has hit a roadblock. According to Italian television channel Canale 21, Arsenal is demanding a staggering €30 million for Kiwior, a price tag that Napoli is unwilling to meet. This is not an isolated incident, as Tottenham Hotspur has also slapped a €30 million price tag on Romanian defender Radu Dragusin, who is also a target for Napoli.
A Loan Deal Unlikely
One might think that a loan deal could be a viable alternative, but Napoli has made it clear that they are not interested in such an arrangement. „Arsenal and Tottenham don’t even want to hear about a loan deal,” a source close to the negotiations revealed. „Either Kiwior and Dragusin leave for the price they want, or they stay where they are.”
This development is a significant blow to Napoli’s hopes of landing Kiwior, and it seems that the Italian club has already begun to explore alternative options. According to reports, Napoli is now targeting Danilo, the experienced Juventus defender who could be available for a lower fee.
A Setback for Kiwior
This news is likely to come as a disappointment to Kiwior, who had been hoping to secure a move away from Arsenal in search of regular playing time. With Napoli seemingly out of the running, Kiwior’s options appear limited, and he may be forced to stay at the Emirates Stadium for the foreseeable future.
Interestingly, Kiwior’s situation mirrors that of many young players who struggle to break into the starting lineup of top clubs. According to data from the CIES Football Observatory, over 60% of players under the age of 23 in the top five European leagues are unable to secure regular playing time, highlighting the challenges faced by young players in the modern game.
As the winter transfer window approaches, Kiwior’s future remains uncertain, and only time will tell whether he will be able to secure a move away from Arsenal. One thing is clear, however: Napoli’s interest in Kiwior has cooled significantly, and the Polish defender may need to explore other options if he is to realize his ambition of becoming a regular starter in one of Europe’s top leagues.
