Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma have tried to sign Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior on loan ahead of the January transfer window but the Gunners are unwilling to sanction a move – at least, at the moment.
Kiwior, 23, has managed just 16 appearances for Arsenal since he joined the club from Spezia back in January – after impressing at the World Cup with Poland. Just two Premier League starts this season.
Italian site CM claim that Roma are keen on bringing Arsenal’s £22m signing back to Italy, on loan. The defender is also a target for AC Milan, as per a previous report from CM. Roma have made a move.
Mourinho’s men want to sign a central defender with Chris Smalling injured, and said to be a target for Saudi Arabian clubs. Diego Llorente, on loan from Leeds United, has deputised in the back three.
Kiwior has been targeted ahead of a potential January loan move. But Arsenal are unwilling to let Kiwior go at this stage. It might be that come January, which is still six weeks away, that their stance changes.
Arsenal stance on Roma loan may frustrate Jakub Kiwior
But as things stand, Kiwior is not going anywhere. That may be a source of frustration for Kiwior, who has really struggled to garner any consistent game time. His two League starts were two months apart.
A player that has proven he is good enough to start regularly for a club pushing to play in Europe, or even in Europe themselves, Kiwior needs a loan. Time to show Mikel Arteta he deserves game time.
But, it seems Arsenal are being stubborn and would rather keep Kiwior at The Emirates as cover for the likes of William Saliba and Gabriel – especially, with the North Londoners still fighting on three fronts.