Arsenal might replace Jakub Kiwior with a Brazil international in an unexpected transfer swap deal.
Juventus are reportedly planning to offer Arsenal a deal involving former Liverpool player Arthur Melo plus cash in exchange for Jakub Kiwior. Since joining the Gunners in January 2023, Kiwior has seen limited playing time at the Emirates Stadium.
The Polish international made 30 appearances across all competitions last season, but only 11 of those were Premier League starts. Juventus, however, are interested in the defender and could offer him a chance to leave north London.
Despite their interest, the Serie A giants are cautious about his price tag. According to the Mirror, Arsenal are likely to demand around £20 million—a sum Juventus finds too steep.
To lower Arsenal’s asking price, it is believed that Arthur Melo, who is no longer needed at Juventus, will be included in the deal. Premier League fans may remember Melo from his loan spell at Liverpool during the 2022/23 season.
Unfortunately, his time at Merseyside didn’t go as planned, with the midfielder making just one senior appearance. He spent more time with the under-21 side than the first team, leading Liverpool to decide against signing him permanently.
Reflecting on Arthur Melo’s loan period, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp stated: “Circumstances meant Arthur was not able to play as much as he would have liked, but his professionalism and ability were clear to all who worked with him.”
Despite his limited impact at Liverpool, Arthur Melo’s future in the Premier League remains a possibility, with Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta reportedly open to bringing the midfielder on board.
At 27, Arthur still has time to rediscover the form that once made him a standout player. With some luck, he could become an asset for a Premier League side.
While Arthur may not be seen as a first-choice player, he could provide valuable depth for Arsenal, potentially easing the burden on the squad’s key midfield figures.
Last season’s stats indicate a potential issue for the Gunners, with both Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard among the top three for minutes played at the club, suggesting a heavy reliance on this central duo.