Juventus turn focus to Jakub Kiwior with Arsenal favourites to sign Riccardo Calafiori
|Juventus are eyeing a deal for defender Jakub Kiwior with Bologna star Riccardo Calafiori set to join Arsenal, according to Corriere dello Sport (page 6).
The Gunners have entered into advanced negotiations with Bologna for the signing of Calafiori. A deal worth £42.3 million could be finalised in the coming hours.
The Bianconeri have now given up on the versatile star and reports claim that they are exploring alternatives. Kiwior is one of the top names on their radar.
Thiago Motta previously managed Kiwior at Spezia and the defender has a good relationship with him. It is reported that he could be signed for only £13m.
Arsenal should demand higher fee for Kiwior
Kiwior signed for the Gunners from Spezia in January last year for £17.6m. He has been in-and-out of the starting line-up, but has still made 38 appearances.
The Pole was initially signed as a deputy to Gabriel Magalhaes in central defence, but he has mostly played for the Gunners from the left-back position.
The 24-year-old also has the ability to operate in defensive midfield. With his versatility, we are not surprised that Motta is keen on a reunion with him.
Calafiori’s arrival at Arsenal will automatically reduce the playing time for Kiwior. It is most likely that the latter will head for the exit door in the near future.
In our view, Arsenal should demand a higher fee than the £13m reported. The club could easily secure £25m for him from another Premier League outfit.
However, they can’t do much if Kiwior has his sights on returning to Serie A. In that case, the hierarchy should at least recoup the £17.6m fee spent on him.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com