Report: Napoli Determined to Sign 'Versatile' Arsenal Defender
Napoli revisit Kiwior interest as summer rebuild begins
Napoli are once again turning their attention to Jakub Kiwior as they look to bolster their defensive ranks ahead of a crucial summer transfer window. The 24-year-old Poland international is under contract at Arsenal until 2028, but is now attracting renewed interest from Serie A – with the Naples-based club leading the chase.
Advertisement
After a testing spell adapting to Premier League life, Kiwior's stock has risen following a string of solid performances in the latter part of the 2024/25 campaign. Arsenal's asking price currently stands at around €35 million (£30m), with Napoli weighing up their next move.
Champions League return gives Napoli leverage
Napoli's pursuit of Kiwior is not without competition. AC Milan have also expressed interest in the former Spezia defender, but it is Napoli who hold a potential edge. The club has qualified for next season's UEFA Champions League – a factor that could prove persuasive in negotiations.
Kiwior's representatives, who also manage Napoli midfielder Stanislav Lobotka, are said to be fielding multiple offers. Yet Napoli's longstanding admiration for the player and their status in European competition might make them an attractive destination. The club previously attempted to bring Kiwior in during the January window, but Arsenal rejected a loan proposal.
Photo IMAGO
Arsenal open to sale but value must be met
Arsenal have shown reluctance to part with Kiwior in the past, particularly after Gabriel Magalhães' injury created opportunities for the Pole to feature regularly. His increased involvement towards the end of the season did not go unnoticed. Mikel Arteta handed him a consistent run of starts, and Kiwior responded with composed displays, offering tactical flexibility and reliable cover on the left side of defence.
Advertisement
However, the North London club remain open to business if their valuation is matched. Arsenal are believed to view the €35 million asking price as fair, especially considering Kiwior's age, potential resale value, and the club's broader plans in the transfer market.
Italy return on the cards for Kiwior
For Kiwior, a return to Serie A could provide the regular minutes and tactical environment that best suit his strengths. His previous spell with Spezia saw him blossom into one of the league's most promising young defenders, ultimately earning his move to the Emirates in January 2023.
Whether Napoli can finalise a deal may come down to how aggressively they move in the early stages of the window. With Milan also in the race and Arsenal under no immediate pressure to sell, time may be of the essence.
'Napoli have returned decisively to Jakub Kiwior, Arsenal's centre-back with a contract until 2028.'
'The agents, the same as Lobotka, have received multiple offers, but the blue club has an advantage: he will play in the Champions League and had already sought him in the past.'
'In January, Napoli had attempted a loan, but Arsenal rejected it. Now the Gunners are asking for around 35 million for the player, who at the end of the season became a starter for Arteta.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hamilton Spectator
an hour ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Zinchenko scores off the bench to help Ukraine defeat New Zealand at Canadian Shield
TORONTO - Substitute Oleksandr Zinchenko scored in the 75th minute to lift Ukraine to a 2-1 win over New Zealand on Tuesday at the Canadian Shield Tournament. The Arsenal fullback/midfielder had been on the pitch less than a minute when he acrobatically swept Oleksandr Martyniuk's cross past New Zealand goalkeeper Max Crocombe. Zinchenko, Ukraine's Footballer of the Year in 2019, joined Arsenal from Manchester City in July 2022 in a 30-million-pound ($55.4-million) transfer. The 28-year-old has been linked to a move to AC Milan in recent days. Oleksiy Hutsuliak also scored for Ukraine. Marko Stamenic replied for New Zealand in a game that saw tempers flare as the clock wound down. New Zealand, ranked 86th in the world, upset No. 41 Ivory Coast 1-0 on Saturday. No. 25 Ukraine lost 4-2 to No. 30 Canada. The Canadians faced Ivory Coast in the late game at BMO Field. Ukraine had more of the ball but failed to take advantage Tuesday. That changed in the 54th minute when Hutsuliak, from the edge of the penalty box, beat Crocombe with a left-footed shot that went through a New Zealand defender's legs. Marko Stamenic replied in the 59th minute off a New Zealand corner. The ball came to defender Michael Boxall who headed it in front of goal to Stamenic, whose header beat Ukraine goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, Thibaut Courtois' backup at Real Madrid. Ukraine began to threaten with crosses in the first half. And the six-foot-four Crocombe, who plays in England's third tier for Burton Albion, had to make a spectacular reflex save to deny Hutsuliak's header in the 15th minute. Crocombe had to be agile again in the 31st minute, stopping Oleksandr Pikhalonok from a tight angle. And the All Whites 'keeper was up to the task again in the 49th minute, blocking a shot after a pinball-like sequence following a Ukraine free kick. New Zealand brought on star forward Chris Wood, who has scored 89 goals for England's Nottingham Forest, in the 80th minute. The Toronto tournament is the first action for New Zealand since punching its ticket to the World Cup with a 3-0 win over No. 151 New Caledonia in the Oceania Football Confederation qualifying final in March at Auckland's Eden Park. New Zealand previously took part in the 1982 and 2010 World Cups, failing to get out of the group stage on both occasions. The famous win over New Caledonia came some 33 months after New Zealand lost 1-0 to Costa Rica in an intercontinental playoff in Doha, Qatar, for the final berth at the 2022 World Cup. Ukraine coach Serhiy Rebrov made nine changes to the starting lineup that lost to Canada. New Zealand made three changes with Boxall among those slotting in. As they did Saturday, the Ukrainian players came out with the Ukraine flag draped over their shoulders. Many of their supporters also brought flags. The Ukraine players, who have not played an international match at home since Russia invaded in February 2022, did a lap around the stadium after the final whistle to applaud their fans. 'Last night, Kyiv endured one of the most brutal attacks since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. In just a few days between two matches, Ukraine was hit 1,088 times by airstrikes,' the Ukrainian Association of Football said in a social media post during the first half. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 10, 2025.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
‘No need to panic', insists Tuchel after England slump to Senegal defeat
Thomas Tuchel insisted England should not panic over their World Cup prospects despite being humbled by Senegal one year and one day before the tournament starts. Tuchel suffered the first defeat of his reign at the City Ground and England their first loss to African opposition in 22 matches as Senegal ran out deserving 3-1 winners. Jude Bellingham had a goal controversially disallowed at 2-1 but, after the laboured win against Andorra in World Cup qualifying on Saturday, there was no disguising the paucity of England's latest performance under their German coach. England were booed off for the second game in succession. Advertisement Related: Cheikh Sabaly's clincher condemns England to sobering defeat by Senegal The England head coach, however, insisted improvement would come and it was premature to worry about the World Cup one year in advance. 'We lost a test match so there is no need to panic,' said Tuchel. 'We have three qualification games, we have nine points, we have not conceded and we will be competitive in September and we will go for two more victories, 100%. We know more now, we are smarter. It is tough at the moment. I am the first one to dislike and hate losses but we don't go next week, we go in one year and I think by nature it will get more competitive in the nomination process and in the demands for players to be nominated and to be with us in September, October, November because we are in a World Cup season.' Tuchel defended his decision to leave Ivan Toney on the bench until the 88th minute, explaining the striker was at his best inside the box and England were not close enough to it when he brought on Morgan Rogers instead. But he conceded the defeat, plus two poor performances, would leave a bad feeling throughout the summer. Advertisement The England head coach said: 'Now we go into a long break with a bad feeling and a loss which is simply not nice and not what we wanted. I will never be glad for a loss. I'm glad for a tough test and challenges. We wanted to feel the quality of a top-20 team and we felt their quality. We felt what it means to them. I heard them in the dressing room before the match, I heard them in the dressing room after the match so I know how much it means to them to play against us. How much joy they expressed if they make this happen. 'It's the right thing to test, the right thing to challenge. Of course we demand a lot of ourselves and I demand more of myself, we wanted to play better against Andorra, and do better today. It is a tough learning.'
New York Times
2 hours ago
- New York Times
Thomas Tuchel says ‘no need to panic' for England after Senegal defeat
Thomas Tuchel insists there is no need for England to panic after losing 3-1 at home to Senegal in Tuesday night's friendly. Harry Kane gave England an eighth-minute lead but goals from Ismaila Sarr, Habib Diarra and Cheikh Sabaly gave Pape Thiaw's side a deserved victory. Tuchel, 51, had guided England to victories in their World Cup qualification group over Albania, Latvia and Andorra in his opening three matches, but the German coach's 100 per cent winning record was ended at the City Ground in Nottingham. Advertisement 'We lost a test match, so there's no need to panic,' Tuchel said after the game. 'We have played three qualification games, we have nine points and and not conceded. We will be competitive in September and we will go for two more victories 100 per cent. 'We know more now. We are smarter. It is tough at the moment. I'm the first one to hate losses like, like nothing else. But we don't go next week to the World Cup. 'We go in one year, and I think by nature it will get more competitive in the qualification process and in the demands for the players to be selected and to be with us in September, October, November.' Tuchel was quizzed on why striker Ivan Toney was not introduced until the 88th minute, replacing left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly, despite starting No 9 Harry Kane being replaced in the 58th minute by Morgan Rogers. 'No it was too early,' Tuchel said of Toney not being introduced around the hour mark. 'We wanted to play there with Morgan Rogers — more fluid, much more physical player. I think it was too early for Toney because the game was so physical. 'We were not close enough to the goal consistently to get his strengths into play. That is my view of the game.' England return to action at home to Andorra on September 6 before an away game in Serbia three days later. (Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
