Wantaway Arsenal ace now offered to Jose Mourinho as Roma consider £21.5m transfer

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Arsenal have lost their faith in Jakub Kiwior and are prepared to sanction a transfer in January, tempting intermediaries to offer the defender to Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma.

The 23-year-old only came to Emirates Stadium in January 2023 as Mikel Arteta eyed cover for his defence. But Kiwior has failed to establish himself in a prominent role and remains an understudy at Arsenal. So, the north London giants will now bid to recover their investment.

That is according to Forza Roma, which reports that intermediaries have offered the transfer of Kiwior from Arsenal to Roma. The Giallorossi are now considering the swoop as Mourinho is determined to add to his Stadio Olimpico backline with the support of the club’s hierarchy.

Roma consider an offer to sign Jakub Kiwior from Arsenal

Roma accept Mourinho needs a new centre-half and will strive to resolve the issue through the winter window. But Arsenal are keen to recoup the €25m (£21.5m) they paid Spezia for Kiwior last winter. So, a swoop to acquire the Poland international could prove problematic.

Giallorossi chiefs believe it will be impossible for them to afford the Gunners’ asking price in January. So, the Serie A side hopes to propose a loan with an option to buy. The clause could turn into an obligation on the basis of Roma securing qualification to the Champions League.

But a further problem for Roma could be the interest that AC Milan continue to show in the transfer of Kiwior from Arsenal. The San Siro natives remain in the race for his signature. So, Roma have further targets in Tottenham Hotspur’s Eric Dier and Trevoh Chalobah of Chelsea.

Jakub Kiwior is interested in a January transfer to AC Milan

Arteta has so far only fielded Kiwior in 12 of Arsenal’s 25 fixtures across all competitions this season. The defender has been available for each of the Emirates Stadium natives’ matches. Yet he has also only started in six games, including just three Premier League games to date.

Forza Roma notes that part of the reason why Arteta has lost his faith in Kiwior is his issues adapting to a four-man defence. Spezia utilised a three-man backline, similar to the tactics Mourinho employs with Roma. Thus, intermediaries see it as a viable landing spot for him.

But reports by Calciomercato earlier this week stated that Kiwior is showing an interest in a transfer from Arsenal to AC Milan. It further cited the same €25m (£21.5m) asking price and that he is a leading target for the Rossoneri. Arsenal also rejected their initial loan approach.