Report: Napoli Determined to Sign 'Versatile' Arsenal Defender
Napoli revisit Kiwior interest as summer rebuild begins
Napoli are once again turning their attention to Jakub Kiwior as they look to bolster their defensive ranks ahead of a crucial summer transfer window. The 24-year-old Poland international is under contract at Arsenal until 2028, but is now attracting renewed interest from Serie A – with the Naples-based club leading the chase.
Advertisement
After a testing spell adapting to Premier League life, Kiwior's stock has risen following a string of solid performances in the latter part of the 2024/25 campaign. Arsenal's asking price currently stands at around €35 million (£30m), with Napoli weighing up their next move.
Champions League return gives Napoli leverage
Napoli's pursuit of Kiwior is not without competition. AC Milan have also expressed interest in the former Spezia defender, but it is Napoli who hold a potential edge. The club has qualified for next season's UEFA Champions League – a factor that could prove persuasive in negotiations.
Kiwior's representatives, who also manage Napoli midfielder Stanislav Lobotka, are said to be fielding multiple offers. Yet Napoli's longstanding admiration for the player and their status in European competition might make them an attractive destination. The club previously attempted to bring Kiwior in during the January window, but Arsenal rejected a loan proposal.
Photo IMAGO
Arsenal open to sale but value must be met
Arsenal have shown reluctance to part with Kiwior in the past, particularly after Gabriel Magalhães' injury created opportunities for the Pole to feature regularly. His increased involvement towards the end of the season did not go unnoticed. Mikel Arteta handed him a consistent run of starts, and Kiwior responded with composed displays, offering tactical flexibility and reliable cover on the left side of defence.
Advertisement
However, the North London club remain open to business if their valuation is matched. Arsenal are believed to view the €35 million asking price as fair, especially considering Kiwior's age, potential resale value, and the club's broader plans in the transfer market.
Italy return on the cards for Kiwior
For Kiwior, a return to Serie A could provide the regular minutes and tactical environment that best suit his strengths. His previous spell with Spezia saw him blossom into one of the league's most promising young defenders, ultimately earning his move to the Emirates in January 2023.
Whether Napoli can finalise a deal may come down to how aggressively they move in the early stages of the window. With Milan also in the race and Arsenal under no immediate pressure to sell, time may be of the essence.
'Napoli have returned decisively to Jakub Kiwior, Arsenal's centre-back with a contract until 2028.'
'The agents, the same as Lobotka, have received multiple offers, but the blue club has an advantage: he will play in the Champions League and had already sought him in the past.'
'In January, Napoli had attempted a loan, but Arsenal rejected it. Now the Gunners are asking for around 35 million for the player, who at the end of the season became a starter for Arteta.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
PSG Get Good News as Bayern Munich Make €12M-per-Year Offer to Barcelona Target
PSG are just one win away from completing a treble, largely thanks to the depth Luis Enrique has built across the squad. The Spanish manager has relied heavily on rotation this season, a strategy that's helped secure back-to-back Ligue 1 titles and a Coupe de France triumph. But while the approach has paid off, it hasn't satisfied everyone. Some players believe they're ready for a bigger role—and Bradley Barcola might be one of them. The young forward is now attracting interest from Bayern Munich, raising questions about his future in Paris. Advertisement According to Sky Sport Germany's Florian Plettenberg, Bayern board member for sport Max Eberl recently left the club's training camp in Florida to focus on squad planning. He's holding talks with agents and other decision-makers as the club shapes its summer strategy. Bayern remain interested in adding a winger, with their top priority still believed to be Athletic Club's Nico Williams—though that deal depends on how things play out with Barcelona. Barcola is also high on Bayern's radar, while AC Milan's Rafael Leão has come up in internal discussions as well. Are Bayern Munich ditching interest in PSG standout? OSCAR DEL POZO/AFP via Getty Images Advertisement Plettenberg's latest report reveals that Bayern Munich haven't given up on Nico Williams and have put a €12 million per season offer on the table. Bayern are hoping Barcelona run into financial or registration issues that could prevent them from closing the deal. In his recent column, Bayern Munich insider Christian Falk revealed that Bayern Munich still see Barcola as a Plan B option if they are unable to secure Athletic Club's Nico Williams, who is linked to Barcelona. 'FC Bayern still can't agree on which player is best for the club. Nico Williams is still the ideal number one signing,' Falk wrote. 'They think Leão doesn't contribute as effectively with his defensive work. Barcola is hard to get; PSG don't want to sell him. Advertisement 'Interestingly, though, Bradley Barcola has changed agents. He is no longer being advised by star agent Jorge Mendes, Cristiano Ronaldo's old representative. 'He has switched to Moussa Sissoko and Marco Lichtsteiner. They are also Jamie Gittens' agents. The agency is also very well connected with FC Bayern. If there is a chance of a transfer, FC Bayern will be attentive to the opportunity.' Despite this rumor, Foot Mercato's Josué Cassé recently reported that Barcola isn't leaving PSG, as he remains a key part of the club's project and has no intention of moving on.
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Ilkay Gundogan rues Manchester City's failure to score seventh against Al Ain
Ilkay Gundogan bemoaned Manchester City's failure to score seven after thrashing Abu Dhabi side Al Ain 6-0 at the Club World Cup. Veteran midfielder Gundogan struck twice as City secured their place in the last 16 with a comfortable victory in Atlanta but it was not enough to take them top of Group G. Advertisement Their performance lifted them level on points and goal difference with Juventus but it is the Italians who will have the slight edge – courtesy of goals scored – heading into Thursday's meeting between the two teams in Orlando. City will now need to beat the Serie A outfit to ensure they avoid a clash with the winners of Real Madrid's group in the first knockout round. 'It felt like we needed the seventh at the end,' said Gundogan. 'We set that as our target at half-time but unfortunately we didn't start the second half good enough. We were a bit slow. Advertisement 'It felt like it cost us at the end.' Manager Pep Guardiola admitted Juve now hold an advantage over his side but played down its significance. Guardiola said: 'With one more goal we would have two options, but we only have one now. 'It would be better but the important thing is we are in the next phase. If you want to go through you have to face top, top teams so it does not matter. 'We see Brazilian teams, European top-class teams. It is no big concern. 'I like that we tried. We spoke at half-time of trying to score as many goals as possible. At the end we had chances to score more but that is fine. Advertisement 'We played a little bit better than the first game, especially in the second half, but there are some things we have to improve.' Guardiola changed his entire XI following their 2-0 win over Wydad Casablanca on Wednesday. Gundogan opened the scoring with a cross-shot after eight minutes before teenager Claudio Echeverri struck from a free-kick and Erling Haaland tucked away a penalty. Gundogan capped a fine move to grab the fourth after the break and substitutes Oscar Bobb and Rayan Cherki netted in the closing stages. Other near misses saw Josko Gvardiol head against the post and Phil Foden go close late on. Advertisement Gundogan's performance, coming after reports linking him with Galatasaray, which were downplayed by Guardiola this week, was particularly eye-catching. Guardiola said of the 34-year-old: 'He's an exceptional player, exceptional in all senses. 'He's really, really good and made a fantastic goal. He reads what we have to do every game. I'm really pleased.'
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
🌎 The Club World Cup guide to...Porto
Our guide to all 32 clubs participating at the FIFA Club World Cup continues. You can check out the full list so far here. Today we're looking How did they qualify for the Club World Cup? 📸 Alex Livesey - 2004 Getty Images Advertisement Porto are a club with great European pedigree, having won the European Cup in 1987 and the Champions League in 2004. They qualified for the Club World Cup via the UEFA ranking pathway thanks to some strong Champions League showings between 2021 and 2024. History at the Club World Cup Porto have never played at the Club World Cup but did win the Intercontinental Cup in 1987 (beating Uruguayan side Peñarol 2-1 after extra-time in a one-off match) and in 2004 (beating Colombian outfit Once Caldas in a penalty shoot-out). How did they perform in the 2024/25 season? It's been a tough campaign for Porto with the Portuguese giants finishing third in their domestic campaign, failing to win any of the cups and getting knocked out of the Europa League and the first post-group stage hurdle. Who is the coach? 📸 Hector Vivas - 2025 Getty Images Advertisement Argentine coach Martín Anselmi has only been in charge of Porto since January 2025, having previously coached in Chile, Ecuador and Mexico respectively. He has a reputation as a progressive, detail-oriented manager focused on high-intensity, possession-based football. Who is their star player? 📸 Octavio Passos - 2024 Getty Images Spain international forward Samu Aghehowa will be one to watch at the Club World Cup. Since joining Porto from Atlético de Madrid in the summer of 2024, the 20-year-old has been in impressive form, scoring 25 goals in 42 games, earning himself a call-up to Spain's senior squad last November, having won a gold medal for La Roja at the 2024 summer Olympic Games. Expected performance at the Club World Cup The Dragões will fancy their chances of emerging from Group A, where they will face Al Ahly, Inter Miami and Palmeiras. Advertisement But a disappointing season on the domestic front means it's difficult to imagine them doing much in the knockout stages, if indeed they get that far. A quarter-final berth would represent a solid achievement. 📸 FILIPE AMORIM - AFP or licensors
