Thiago Motta reportedly wants to make an Arsenal star one of his first new signings once appointed manager of Juventus.
The Italian coach is regarded as one of the most exciting up-and-coming managers in European football having led Bologna to a UEFA Champions League finish this season, spearheaded by Arsenal-linked Joshua Zirkzee.
As a result, Motta has now been headhunted by Juventus to take over the hot seat this summer, a move that could see the Old Lady finally return to their former greatness having not won the Serie A title since 2020.
And Motta seemingly wants to make an Arsenal player one of his first new signings.
Jakub Kiwior lined up as first Juventus signing under Motta
According to TuttoMercatoWeb, Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior has emerged as a top target for Motta ahead of his arrival at Juventus, though the Italian giants are unwilling to meet the €20m (£17m) asking price for the Polish international.
Kiwior found himself starring for Arsenal this season in arguably their best part of the season between the start of 2024 and April, where the former Spezia defender thrived in the left-back position as the Gunners went on a tear in the Premier League.
READ MORE: Arsenal 24/25 confirmed signings, transfers in and out, loan exits and releases
Praised by Robert Lewandowski as an ‘extraordianry’ player, Kiwior leaving this summer would be quite an unusual decision given how well the 24-year-old performed during his run out in the Arsenal XI.
And for £17m, more or less what Arsenal paid last year to sign the defender, the Gunners stand to miss out on millions if Juventus do indeed go through with Motta’s plan to sign Kiwior this summer.
Arsenal would be silly to sell Kiwor this summer
Whilst Kiwior lost his starting XI place in the final games of the season, the Polish international more than showed that he can be a valuable member of the Arsenal first-team and one of Arteta’s main 18 to choose from.
Which is why a sale this summer would be quite silly from Arsenal, with Kiwior finally looking the part in north London having enjoyed a fantastic run in the starting XI earlier this year from the left-back position.
Young, versatile and athletic, so much about Kiwior’s game makes the defender a perfect option for the Gunners, and selling him this summer would be quite stupid from Arsenal’s part.