Jakub Kiwior

Arsenal transfer news: Spezia defender Jakub Kiwior is close to becoming Arsenal's second proposed January signing after a move for Leandro Trossard was ...

After playing much of his career in midfield, he has been playing in a deeper role, on the left of a back three this season. During the 2021/22 season, Kiwior earned his first big move, signing for Spezia from MSK Zilina for a fee of £2million. With that in mind football.london has taken a look at the latest potential recruit for Arteta's side. The 22-year-old has played 20 games for Spezia this season, but was on the bench for their last outing against Torino. As a young left-footed defender, Kiwior fits the ideal profile of a Mikel Arteta signing while also providing needed cover for Gabriel Magalhaes. [Tomasz Włodarczyk](https://twitter.com/wlodar85) meanwhile has revealed the [north London outfit are close to signing Kiwior for a fee of £21.9million on a five-and-a-half-year contract.](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/transfer-news/arsenal-jakub-kiwio-transfer-trossard-26029610)

The 22-year-old, currently at Serie A side Spezia, would add depth to the Premier League leaders, who have been eyeing another left-footed centre back.

[Arteta](/sport/mikel-arteta/index.html) has been eager to strengthen his attacking options as the Gunners pursue a first Premier League title since 2004 and Belgium international Trossard, 28, fits the bill. Arsenal are in talks to sign Poland defender Jakub Kiwior in a deal that could cost around £20m Arsenal are in talks to sign Poland defender Jakub Kiwior in a deal that could cost around £20million. [Arsenal](/sport/teampages/arsenal.html) completed the signing of Trossard from [Brighton](/news/brighton/index.html) in a deal that would eventually be worth £27m. - Arsenal are in talks with Spezia over a £20million deal for defender Jakub Kiwior Arsenal are in talks over a £20m deal for Spezia's Polish centre-back Jakub Kiwior as Mikel Arteta looks to reinforce his defence for their title charge

Arsenal are in advanced talks to sign Polish centre-back Jakub Kiwior from Italian side Spezia, but who is he and why do Arsenal want to sign him?

But with William Saliba and Gabriel forming a formidable partnership already this term, why do Arsenal need to bring him in? [with the club closing in on a £20m ($25m) deal for 22-year-old Spezia defender Jakub Kiwior](https://www.goal.com/en/news/arsenal-close-jakub-kiwior-transfer-spezia-poland-defender-set-medical/blt4ade1c26f0473092). The starting eleven has not let the manager down all season, having won 15 of their 18 matches and conceded just 14 goals.

Arsenal are closing in on a deal for young Poland international defender Jakub Kiwior from Serie A side Spezia.

Finding natural cover for Gabriel Magalhaes has always been a top priority for Mikel Arteta, who has had to use the Brazilian centre-back in all but one of Arsenal's 21 matches in all competitions since the start of the campaign. The Gunners are in advanced talks with Serie A side Spezia over the 22-year-old, GOAL can confirm, and he is expected to travel to England imminently to finalise the move. THE BIGGER PICTURE: Kiwior moved to Spezia in August 2021 from Slovakia, where he had been playing for MSK Zilina.

Arsenal are close to sealing a £22million deal for Spezia and Poland defender Jakub Kiwior, talkSPORT understands.The centre-back will further boost.

But with the games coming thick and fast, and Arsenal’s Europa League campaign to resume, Kiwior will ease the workload at the back as they aim to maintain their Premier League lead. The 22-year-old will offer plenty of depth for Mikel Arteta, who currently has four centre-back options in the shape of Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Rob Holding and Ben White, although he has excelled after moving to right-back this season. The centre-back will further boost the Gunners’ title charge after he starred at the World Cup, playing almost every minute of his country’s campaign.

Arsenal look set to add another defender to their squad with Spezia player Jakub Kiwior seemingly on his way to the Emirates Stadium.

He had his breakthrough with the Polish national team in the run-up to the 2022 Qatar World Cup and he was an important player as they made it to the round of 16. What he can bring to the team right now is his versatility. He plays almost all of his games at centre-back and is able to play on both the right and left of a two. He has started 94% of Spezia's 18 Serie A games so far this season and has played 89% of the available minutes. Showing even more versatility, Kiwior has been known to step forward into the holding midfield role when needed by Spezia, showing a certain level of footballing intelligence. They only paid €2.2m for his services and he has become the Aquilotti's prized possession in the last year or so.