Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior is on the verge of completing a move to FC Porto, with the Portuguese giants agreeing a structured deal that could rise to €30 million, as Mikel Arteta prepares to reshape his backline.
Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano confirmed on Friday, August 29, 2025, that the 25-year-old Poland international will join Porto on an initial €2m loan, with a €17m obligation to buy. The agreement also includes performance-based bonuses and a sell-on clause, potentially pushing the final fee to between €25m and €30m.
Kiwior, who arrived at Arsenal from Italian side Spezia in January 2023 for €25m, has struggled to cement a regular starting place under Arteta, making just 38 appearances across two seasons. With his pathway blocked by William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, and Ben White, the Polish defender has been keen on a fresh challenge where he can secure first-team football.
Reports suggest Kiwior has already agreed personal terms with Porto and is expected to fly to Portugal within the next 24 hours for medicals and final paperwork. Porto manager Francesco Farioli is said to be an admirer of Kiwior’s versatility, seeing him as a key addition ahead of the club’s Champions League campaign.
For Arsenal, the move is closely linked to their ongoing pursuit of Piero Hincapié, Bayer Leverkusen’s Ecuadorian centre-back, valued at around €45m. Negotiations are advancing, with the Gunners viewing Hincapié as the ideal long-term defensive partner for Saliba.
The deal also underscores Arsenal’s strategy of balancing squad depth with financial prudence. By offloading Kiwior with a guaranteed buy clause, the club frees up both funds and squad space to strengthen in other key areas, particularly defence and midfield.
If completed as expected, Kiwior’s switch will not only give him the opportunity to revive his career in Portugal but also signal Arsenal’s intent to remain aggressive in the market as they push for silverware in both the Premier League and Champions League this season.
