Report: Wolves eye Arsenal defender as Mikel Arteta pushes for contract renewal

 

Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly weighing up a move for Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior, even though Mikel Arteta is keen on securing the player’s long-term future at the Emirates.

 

The Polish international has found consistent minutes hard to come by under Arteta, largely due to the Gunners’ wealth of defensive options. Despite impressing whenever called upon, the 25-year-old has been on the fringes, which has inevitably sparked transfer interest from across Europe.

 

Wolves still active in the market

 

Wolves boss Vitor Pereira has made it clear that his side are not finished with their summer recruitment drive. The Midlands club are on the hunt for reinforcements across the pitch, particularly at the back, and Kiwior’s situation presents a potential opportunity.

 

According to reports from CaughtOffside, Wolves are not alone in admiring the versatile defender. Crystal Palace are also monitoring him as a possible replacement for Marc Guehi should the England international complete a heavily linked move to Liverpool. Meanwhile, European heavyweights AC Milan, Juventus, and Porto, as well as Premier League rivals Everton, have all expressed interest.

 

The uncertainty surrounding Arsenal’s contract talks with Kiwior has encouraged Wolves to throw their hat into the ring. For Pereira, this could be a clever move to bolster his defensive ranks while adding a player capable of slotting into multiple roles.

 

Kiwior’s qualities and potential Wolves role

 

Kiwior’s versatility is one of his strongest assets. Naturally left-footed, he has operated both as a central defender and as a left-back for Arsenal. His calmness in possession, solid passing range, and ability to read the game would give Wolves an extra layer of stability when building from the back.

 

However, his potential role at Molineux may not be straightforward. Pereira’s system typically relies on dynamic wing-backs to provide attacking thrust, and Kiwior is not known for explosive pace or overlapping runs. Instead, his best fit would likely come within the back-three, where his defensive intelligence could shine.

 

This raises questions about how he might slot into the current set-up. Toti Gomes has firmly established himself as a defensive leader, making his spot relatively secure. Emmanuel Agbadou has endured a shaky pre-season but is still highly regarded after a strong start to life at Wolves last term. On the right side, competition is already fierce between Matt Doherty and Yerson Mosquera, meaning Kiwior’s integration could require tactical adjustments from Pereira.

 

A transfer story to watch

 

At present, no formal move has been made, but the speculation is growing as the transfer window edges closer to its climax. With Wolves actively scouting options and Kiwior eager for regular minutes, this is a developing story worth keeping an eye on.

 

Should Wolves manage to secure the Arsenal man, it could turn out to be one of the most astute signings of their summer, offering depth, versatility, and top-level experience to their backline.