Arsenal are in talks to sign Poland defender Jakub Kiwior in a deal that could cost around £20million.
The 22-year-old, currently at Serie A side Spezia, would add depth to the Premier League leaders, who have been eyeing another left-footed centre back.
Gabriel Magalhaes has been a mainstay beside William Saliba this season but Kiwior, who started all of Poland’s matches at the Qatar World Cup, would add cover and competition for the Brazilian.
Arsenal are in talks to sign Poland defender Jakub Kiwior in a deal that could cost around £20m
Kiwior has been linked with Juventus and Milan but Arsenal are hopeful of completing another January signing, having already secured a £27m deal for Brighton forward Leandro Trossard this week.
Arsenal missed out on primary target Mykhailo Mudryk, who ended up at Chelsea, as they look for reinforcements for their title tilt.
The defender, who has won nine caps for Poland, also has experience playing at left back and in defensive midfield.
Arsenal are well-stocked when it comes to right-sided centre backs, with Saliba, Rob Holding and Ben White at Mikel Arteta's disposal.
But left-footed defenders have become hot property in the modern game.
Kiwior joined Spezia in 2021 having spent time at Anderlecht during his youth.
Mikel Arteta's side are five points clear in the Premier League title race but will want to strengthen their position
The club has shown in recent years with the likes of Gabriel Martinelli, Aaron Ramsdale, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Magalhaes and to an extent Granit Xhaka that they prefer to bring in players who will be allowed to develop at the club.
At 22, Kiwior is younger than both White and Magalhaes and just a year older than Saliba, but would bring international experience, as well as 18 months playing at a top five European League to the Emirates.
The Polish international stands at 1.89cm so would be a physical presence at the back for Arsenal, putting him at roughly the same height as both Saliba and Magalhaes - Arteta's preferred pairing.
He has also featured as a central defensive midfielder and a left-back which will appeal to Arteta who regularly moves his defenders around at the back into different starting positions.
The 22-year-old Poland international has played 20 games for Spezia so far this season
Arsenal have already agreed a £27million fee with Brighton for forward Leandro Trossard
The Gunners are still competing in the Europa League and the FA Cup - where they have been drawn against Manchester City in the Fourth Round - as well as navigating their first title race in several years.
Arteta will therefore be keen to bring in as many bodies as possible that fit his side's transfer ethos as possible to decrease the workload on his stars and give them the best shot possible at taking home the trophy.
On Friday, Arsenal completed the signing of Trossard from Brighton in a deal that would eventually be worth £27m.
Arteta has been eager to strengthen his attacking options as the Gunners pursue a first Premier League title since 2004 and Belgium international Trossard, 28, fits the bill.
Brighton will receive a guaranteed figure of around £20m with the remaining £7m made up of achievable incentives.
Trossard could be in the Arsenal squad to face Manchester United in a pivotal clash at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Although he signed his deal before midday on Friday, there was no confirmation over his registration before the deadline that would allow him to compete against the Red Devils - although it may appear likely.
