Barcelona in talks with Porto to sign Jakub Kiwior less than three weeks after Arsenal sale

Barcelona have opened talks with Porto over a move for Jakub Kiwior, less than three weeks after the Polish defender left Arsenal on a permanent basis. Sporting director Deco has spoken directly with Porto president Andre Villas-Boas about a deal, according to Polish outlet Meczyki, who describe Barca’s interest as serious.

Kiwior, 26, had his season-long loan at Porto made permanent on May 6 for £14.6m, shortly after the Portuguese club won the Primeira Liga title — their first since 2022. The centre-back was a key part of a defence that conceded just 18 league goals under head coach Francesco Farioli.

Arsenal inserted a sell-on clause worth €2m (£1.7m) when completing the sale, meaning the Gunners would receive a further windfall should Barcelona follow through. Kiwior spent three and a half years at Arsenal after joining from Spezia in January 2023, but was unable to displace William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães and requested a loan move following the arrival of Piero Hincapié last summer.

“When I asked for the loan, the conversation was more difficult,” Kiwior told Laczy Nas Pilka. “I’d never done this before, but I felt the time had come to speak with him face-to-face. He understood me and supported me.”

Barcelona were reportedly impressed by Kiwior’s performances when Arsenal defeated Real Madrid in last season’s Champions League quarter-finals. His ability to operate at left-back and in midfield adds to his appeal for a club known to value positional versatility.

Kiwior is not the only name on Deco’s shortlist, however. Barcelona are also considering out-of-contract Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi, Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck, and Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni — all left-footed centre-backs. Senesi would be available on a free transfer, while Schlotterbeck and Bastoni would command significantly higher fees given their sustained Champions League experience.