Jakub Kiwior is in talks to leave Arsenal and join Portuguese giants Porto before the summer transfer window closes.
The Poland international was left out of the Gunners squad that took on Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
A goal after 13 minutes from Riccardo Calafiori was enough to seal all three points for Mikel Arteta’s side in their opening game of the new Premier League season.
Kiwior has been repeatedly linked with a move away from north London during the summer with interest from Porto emerging earlier this month.
Reports in Portugal suggested Porto had given up on a prospective move after learning of Arsenal’s huge £26m asking price.
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The club have since signed Jan Bednarek in a €7.5m (£6.5m) deal from Southampton but latest reports suggest Porto have not given up on a move and are back in talks with the player.
Polish outlet Meczyki claim a deal is being discussed with hope of an agreement being reached next week.
Kiwior’s preference is to join a club away from the Premier League if Arsenal decide to cash in.
William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are the firm first-choice pairing in north London with Jurrien Timber, Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori all capable of operating at centre-half.
While he has been a backup option since joining from Spezia in a deal worth £20m in January 2023, Kiwior proved his worth last season after Arsenal lost Gabriel to a hamstring injury.
‘He deserves a lot of credit because he hasn’t played too much throughout many months, and suddenly he’s been thrown into the most difficult context, at the highest level, playing against the best opponents, when you haven’t had the physical rhythm or the confidence to do it, and I think he’s been exceptional,’ Arteta said.
Oleksandr Zinchenko, Reiss Nelson and Fabio Viera were also left out of the squad with Arsenal sanctioning exits for the trio.
from Arsenal – Metro
Tony Mogan