Barcelona have opened talks to sign Jakub Kiwior less than three weeks after the Poland international completed a permanent move from Arsenal to Porto. The La Liga champions' interest could trigger a sell-on clause worth £1.7m (€2m) for the Gunners, providing Mikel Arteta with an unexpected transfer boost.
Kiwior, 26, left Arsenal on May 6 after Porto triggered their obligation to buy him for £14.6m, following a season-long loan. He helped the Portuguese side clinch their first Primeira Liga title since 2022, playing in a defence that conceded just 18 league goals.
Polish outlet Meczyki report that Barcelona's interest is serious, with sporting director Deco having held talks with Porto president Andre Villas-Boas. Barcelona were reportedly impressed by Kiwior's performances in Arsenal's Champions League quarter-final victories over Real Madrid last season.
However, Kiwior is not the only left-footed centre-back on Deco's shortlist. The Barcelona sporting director is also considering Bournemouth's Marcos Sensi, who is out of contract, plus Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck and Inter Milan's Alessandro Bastoni, though both would command significantly higher fees.
Kiwior's versatility in playing left-back or midfield was a key reason for his arrival at Arsenal from Spezia in January 2023. After spending two seasons behind William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, he requested a loan departure, explaining: "When I asked for the loan, (the conversation) was more difficult. I'd never done this before [asked to leave], but I felt the time had come to speak with him face-to-face. He understood me and supported me."
