AC Milan’s head coach, Stefano Pioli, is expressing a strong desire to acquire the talents of Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior, a player he believes possesses remarkable qualities. Kiwior, who joined Arsenal for £21 million in January after an 18-month stint with Spezia, has struggled to secure regular playing time under Mikel Arteta, primarily due to competition from Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba.
During the second half of the previous season, Kiwior was limited to just eight competitive appearances. In the early months of the 2023-24 campaign, he featured in only six games. Although he recently started in Arsenal’s last two matches, including an EFL Cup loss to West Ham United, it’s uncertain whether he will be granted a consistent place in the starting lineup.
Despite having a contract with Arsenal until June 2028, Kiwior’s lack of playing time has piqued AC Milan’s interest. According to reports from Gazzetta dello Sport, the Italian giants have identified the versatile Polish defender as a potential target for the January transfer window. Stefano Pioli is eager to bolster his defensive options, especially as injuries have depleted his current backline.
Pierre Kalulu, a key defender for Milan, faces a four-month absence due to a tendon injury that required surgery. This injury occurred during a recent 2-2 draw with Napoli. In response, 21-year-old Marco Pellegrino was brought on as a substitute, but he too suffered an injury, damaging his heel. Pellegrino is expected to be sidelined until December. Given these injuries, Milan’s need for a new central defender has become a top priority.
While a transfer bid for Kiwior seems unlikely, AC Milan may explore the possibility of a loan deal with an option to buy. However, the decision ultimately rests with Arsenal, and the status of Jurrien Timber, another Arsenal defender currently sidelined with a long-term injury, could influence this decision.
In addition to Kiwior, AC Milan has also been linked to Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly and PAOK’s center-back Konstantinos Koulierakis as potential options for reinforcing their defense.
Stefano Pioli’s interest in Jakub Kiwior is clear, and the coming transfer window could see AC Milan make moves to secure his services. The player’s potential availability, coupled with the injuries to key Milan defenders, makes this transfer speculation all the more intriguing. Arsenal’s decision, however, will play a pivotal role in determining whether this transfer becomes a reality.