Arsenal ace Jakub Kiwior has just given AC Milan a huge boost for their interest in a transfer as the defender is now pushing to leave against boss Mikel Arteta’s wishes.
The Rossoneri have identified the 23-year-old as a leading target for the final stages of the January window. AC Milan are determined to strengthen manager Stefano Pioli’s centre-half options having lost Fikayo Tomori, Malick Thiaw and Pierre Kalulu with thigh tendon injuries.
AC Milan have also identified a checklist of necessary criteria and Calciomercato reports that Kiwior fits the bill. San Siro chiefs appreciate the Arsenal brute as he is left-footed, physically strong and is ready to play at a high level. Pioli needs a player to step straight in for Tomori.
AC Milan want to sign Jakub Kiwior in an initial loan transfer from Arsenal
But Pioli only has a small budget, so AC Milan cannot advance their interest in Lilian Brassier of Stade Brest. The 24-year-old would cost €15m (£13m), tempting the Rossoneri to explore a transfer from Arsenal for Kiwior. San Siro chiefs also admire Clement Lenglet of Barcelona.
AC Milan will need Aston Villa to agree to terminate Lenglet’s loan transfer for them to push for the 28-year-old, though. The Villans are also currently loath to let the Frenchman go. So, the transfer of Kiwior from Arsenal continues to take a prime place in AC Milan’s discussions.
Kiwior has also now boosted AC Milan’s hopes as he is pushing to leave Arsenal ahead of the window closing. The centre-back is eager to play more regularly than Arteta is awarding him at Emirates Stadium. But the Gunners have shown zero desire to sanction any loan transfer.
Mikel Arteta wants to reject the transfer interest shown in Jakub Kiwior
AC Milan are hopeful of signing Kiwior from Arsenal in a similar transfer to the one that saw Tomori join from Chelsea during 2021. The 26-year-old initially quit Stamford Bridge on loan in January. But the Rossoneri triggered a £25m, plus £5m in add-ons, option to buy in June.
Kiwior is now strengthening AC Milan’s hopes as he pushes for a transfer having only played 707 minutes for Arsenal this season. Arteta has further only afforded the Poland star 300 of his minutes over nine Premier League games. He has also started Kiwior in just four fixtures.
Arteta wants to keep Kiwior at Arsenal in January, though, and the Gunners also rejected an approach from AC Milan earlier this month, per Ciro Venerato. Emirates Stadium chiefs also informed the San Siro natives of their firm stance that the 19-cap enforcer was not available.
But AC Milan remain keen and Kiwior has attracted further transfer interest – including from Brentford – despite Arsenal’s reluctance to let him go. Calciomercato.it claimed in December that Lazio, Napoli, Nice and Roma also approached the Gunners to sound out his availability.
Yet Arteta only starting Kiwior four times through 21 potential Premier League fixtures could now cause Arsenal problems. The Tychy native Robert Lewandowski called ‘extraordinary’ is keen to quit the Gunners in January, one year and 24 total outings after arriving from Spezia.
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