Arsenal completed the permanent sale of Jakub Kivioglu to Porto earlier this month, but Barcelona are already looking to sign the former Gunners defender
Mikel Arteta’s transfer kitty is lined up to strengthen (Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Barcelona began negotiations for Jakub Kivioglu less than three weeks after he left Arsenal. Kivior, 26, was confirmed on a season-long loan move to Porto on May 6, shortly after the Portuguese giants won the league title.
The defender spent three-and-a-half years as an Arsenal player but failed to break into the starting XI and was sent out on loan last summer following the arrival of Piero Hincapie. Kivior rediscovered his mojo in Portugal and helped Francesco Faglioli’s side win their first Primeira Liga title since 2022 as part of a solid defense that conceded just 18 goals in the league.
Porto fulfilled their obligation to sign the Poland international for £14.6 million, but he could still play for Barcelona next season. Polish outlet Meczki reported that Barça’s interest in Kiwior was serious, adding that the La Liga champions had held talks with Porto over a deal.
Barcelona sporting director Deco has spoken to Porto president Andre Villas-Boas about the former Arsenal star, who would be a huge asset to his former club if he leaves. When selling Kivior, Arsenal included a sell-on clause worth 2 million euros (approximately 170 million yen).
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Barcelona were reportedly impressed by Kivior’s two performances when Arsenal beat Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of last season’s Champions League. However, the 26-year-old is not the only option for Barça.
Deco has drawn up a short list of centre-backs, all of whom are left-handed. Kivior is joined by out-of-contract Bournemouth star Marcos Sensi, Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck and Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni.
Schlotterbeck and Bastoni have the best pedigree, having played in the Champions League for multiple seasons, but will likely cost much more than Kivior. Senesi, on the other hand, can be acquired on a free transfer.
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Jakub Kivioglu joins Porto on a permanent basis less than three weeks ago (Image: Diogo Cardoso/Getty Images)
The bonus that Kivior can offer is his ability to play at left-back or midfield. His versatility was one of the reasons manager Mikel Arteta brought him to Arsenal from Spezia in Italy in January 2023.
But after two full seasons behind William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães in the pecking order, the Kiwior decided to leave on loan. “When I asked for a loan,[the conversation]was more difficult,” the Pole explained to Laci Nas Pirka.
“I had never done anything like this before, but I felt it was time to talk to him face to face. He understood me and supported me.”
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