Marseille are the latest team to express an interest in signing Arsenal centre-back Jakub Kiwior, according to a report.
The Poland international has been forced to play second fiddle to Gabriel Magalhaes for the past two-and-a-half seasons, but he has made a strong impression during the Brazilian's absence with a hamstring problem.
Kiwior has played the full 90 minutes in each of Arsenal's last 11 matches, netting one goal in the 2-2 Premier League home draw with Crystal Palace in late April.
The 25-year-old's partnership with William Saliba has blossomed over the last several weeks, but Gabriel will be expected to waltz back into the starting lineup when fully fit.
As a result, there is a strong chance that Kiwior will seek an exit to a club who can offer him more regular game time, having proven his Premier League and Champions League competence in 2025.
Marseille 'express interest' in Kiwior signing
© Imago
A return to Serie A has inevitably been mooted for the former Spezia man, who is believed to have attracted interest from the likes of Juventus, Inter Milan and Antonio Conte's Napoli.
However, French outlet Foot Mercato claims that Marseille are also considering a swoop for the Poland international, who is one of several 'experienced profiles' on their shortlist.
Kiwior could follow in the footsteps of centre-back partner Saliba by signing for Les Olympiens, as the France international represented Marseille in the 2021-22 season during his third loan spell away from Arsenal.
Saliba shone during his time at the Orange Velodrome, winning the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year prize, and Marseille were desperate to keep him before he decided to continue at Arsenal.
Kiwior joined the Gunners midway through Saliba's breakthrough campaign in 2022-23, and the Pole now boasts three goals and five assists from 66 matches in the famous red jersey.
The case for and against Arsenal selling Kiwior this summer
© Imago
Arsenal have no real urge to sell Kiwior from a financial standpoint, as the 25-year-old remains under contract in North London for another three seasons until the end of the 2027-28 campaign.
Then again, Kiwior's stock may arguably never be higher than it is now, having been an integral part of an Arsenal side that took down Real Madrid en route to the Champions League semi-finals.
Arsenal could realistically demand a profit on the £16.4m they forked out for Kiwior in 2023, and it would not be a surprise to see the centre-back pursue a transfer to a club who can offer him more first-team guarantees.
However, Arsenal cannot afford to head into 2025-26 with a weakened set of options in any area of the field, and they already have several priorities to address without adding another centre-back to their ranks.
Therefore, unless an offer comes in that is simply too good to turn down, Arsenal must do their utmost to retain Kiwior's services for next term.
Ben Knapton
