Arsenal poised to bank transfer windfall as Barcelona open Jakub Kiwior talks | OneFootball

Arsenal are set to land a sizable windfall with a former player in talks over a potential summer move.

According to The Mirror, La Liga champions Barcelona have opened talks to sign Jakub Kiwior, who left Arsenal to join Porto on an initial loan deal at the start of the season.

The 26-year-old made that move permanent less than three weeks ago, shortly after the Portuguese giants won the league title.

Kiwior had spent three-and-a-half years as an Arsenal player, but never truly established himself as a regular starter under Mikel Arteta.

He was considered surplus to requirements and subsequently loaned out after Arsenal brought in Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen last summer.

Kiwior has rediscovered his mojo in Portugal, helping Francesco Farioli’s side win their first Primeira Liga title since 2022 as part of a watertight defence that conceded just 18 goals in the league.

Despite Porto fulfilling their obligation to buy the Poland international for £14.6 million, he could be playing for Barcelona next season.

Barcelona have reportedly stepped up their interest in Kiwior and have even opened talks with Porto over a potential summer transfer.

Sporting director Deco has spoken to Porto president Andre Villas-Boas regarding the former Arsenal star, who’d bank his former club a handy windfall if he leaves.

Arsenal inserted a sell-on clause worth €2m (£1.7m) in the deal that saw Kiwior join Porto.

Barcelona were reportedly impressed by Kiwior’s two performances when Arsenal beat Real Madrid in last season’s Champions League quarter-finals. But the 26-year-old isn’t their only option.

Deco has drawn up a shortlist of centre-backs, all of whom are left-footed.

Kiwior is joined by out-of-contract Bournemouth star Marcos Sensi, Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck and Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni.

While Schlotterbeck and Bastoni boast the most pedigree, having played in the Champions League for multiple seasons, they’d likely cost much more than Kiwior.

Senesi is available on a free transfer, although reports claim that he has verbally agreed to join Tottenham Hotspur.