Arsenal given opportunity to sign two-year transfer target as Jakub Kiwior eyed

Arsenal could be set to raise the money to fund a move to sign a new striker this summer with Juventus reportedly set to swoop for Jakob Kiwior. The Polish defender made 30 club appearances last season, but was confined to a bit-part role having failed to cement a place in the starting XI under Mikel Arteta.

Kiwior, 24, joined from Italian side Spezia for £17million in January 2023.

And he could now be set to return to Serie A on a transfer which could spark a chain events in the summer transfer window.

According to TuttoMercatoWeb, Juve boss Thiago Motta has ordered club bosses to make the versatile defender a priority signing. Kiwior is primarily a centre back, but the bulk of his game time under Arteta has come on the left hand side of defence.

The Gunners are said to be prepared to sanction a sale for a £17million fee. That money could fund a move to help Dusan Vlahovic move in other direction, a player Arsenal were first linked with back in 2022.

Arteta had been expected to move for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko this summer, but that chase appears off after the Slovenian signed a new deal with the Bundesliga side. His new contract runs until 2029, with the previous £55m release clause having been removed.

Vlahovic, 24, would now represent a much cheaper option. He’s scored 41 goals in 101 games for the Italian giants since joining from Fiorentina in 2021, and is currently in Germany with Serbia for Euro 2024.

And the forward has a big chance to remind Arteta, and other Premier League clubs, of his prowess this Sunday. Serbia face England on Sunday in their opening game of the tournament, with the Vlahovic almost certain to start for his country.

Indeed, he has 13 goals in 27 games at international level. And he’s been widely credited as a crucial factor in them both qualifying for the tournament, and their hopes of progressing past the group stages in Germany.

Despite his side scoring the most goals in the Premier League last season, Arteta has been plagued by the perception is side lack a clinical No.9 in their pursuit of the title. Gabriel Jesus has impressed in flashes since his move from Manchester City two years ago, but has struck just 19 times in 69 club matches.

And links to a move for Ivan Toney have also cooled. Brentford’s valuation of the striker, also at Euro 2024, is reportedly near to three figures and out of the price range of the Gunners.