Latest developments
- Napoli have made a bid for Arsenal's Jakub Kiwior.
- The Italian side are said to have offered the Gunners £8.3 million.
- The Polish centre-back has featured more regularly as injury cover for Arsenal.
Whisper+ analysis
Authenticity (3/5): Plenty of details offered
Arsenal could be set to lose centre-back Jakub Kiwior in January after Napoli put in an £8.3 million bid for the Polish international.
That is being reported on teamtalk.com, one of the biggest transfer news sites, who claim to know talks have been held and are aware of the bid value. Local news sources in Naples have also claimed Antonio Conte wants to strengthen his defensive options.
Value (5/5): Napoli looking for cut price
Arriving nearly two years ago for around £15 million, Kiwior has rarely been a regular in the Gunners' line-up, but has recently found himself getting more minutes due to Arsenal defenders dropping like flies of late.
Even so, his value according to Transfermarkt has increased to £24.8 million since his arrival in England, so with Kiwior down the pecking order, Napoli are aiming to sign the 24-year-old for a very low price.
Suitability (4.5/5): He knows the league
The Gunners bought Kiwior from Serie A side Spezia, where he spent 18 months and got his career on track after some time in Slovakia following release by Anderlecht. He clearly knows the league and had a productive time there, even if it was with a much smaller club.
A back four favoured by Conte and Mikel Arteta means Kiwior won't have a new system to learn, either.
Upgrade? (3.5/5): Only two regular CB's at Napoli
Veteran Juan Jesus and summer signing from Real Madrid Rafa Marin are clearly not to Conte's taste, making one league appearance between them all season.
Kiwior might not have played every week at the Emirates, but Conte has seen enough to believe he can challenge regular starters Alessandro Buongiorno and Amir Rrahmani for a place, but with Napoli going so well, he will have his work cut out.
Logic (3.5/5): Kiwior will want game time
Turning 25 in February, January might be a good time for Kiwior to leave Arsenal in search of more game time, and a move back to Italy would be a good fit.
That said, even at Napoli he might struggle to get regular starts, and with so many problems at the back for Arsenal right now, he might be called upon by Arteta for a while yet.
Whisper+ verdict: 19.5/25
Given Kiwior's time in Italy and Conte needing extra defensive resources, if a bid has been made, then there is plenty of reason to believe this rumour can go the distance.
