Porto are coming in strong for Jakub Kiwior, with talks expected to test Arsenal’s resolve in the final stretch of the window. If Arsenal sell Kiwior or Oleksandr Zinchenko the club plan to add a left-footed defender who can play both centre-back and left-back. Interest in Piero Hincapié is live across the Premier League and beyond, and Arsenal are firmly in that conversation.
Porto’s move and Arsenal’s stance
Porto see Kiwior as a high-value addition and are preparing a serious push. Arsenal rate the Poland international, but the squad picture has evolved and the club are open to a sale at the right price. The strategy is clear: if one left-sided option departs, a replacement arrives with equal versatility and a higher ceiling.
That approach keeps Mikel Arteta’s defensive unit balanced. It also protects the build-up patterns that rely on a natural left footer in the last line. Consequently, Arsenal are not expected to green-light an exit without a pathway to immediate reinforcement.
What a sale unlocks for Arteta
Moving Kiwior or Zinchenko would free a slot for a hybrid defender who can cover both CB and LB without disrupting rhythm. Arsenal want someone comfortable defending space, stepping into midfield when required, and passing cleanly under pressure. The profile matters more than the name — but the market for that profile is competitive.
That is why the club are tracking multiple lanes in parallel. If Porto advance their bid, Arsenal are ready to pivot quickly to secure the successor and keep depth intact on the left side.
Why Hincapié fits the brief
Piero Hincapié matches Arsenal’s checklist: left-footed, mobile, and proven at both centre-back and left-back. There is Premier League interest in him, alongside attention from other European clubs, which underscores his market value. For Arsenal, he represents the type of signing that sustains the back line’s technical floor while raising its athletic ceiling.
Whether Hincapié or a comparable target, the objective stays the same, maintain two-deep coverage at LB and LCB with a natural left footer who can slot straight into Arteta’s patterns.
Author Opinion
Porto’s push for Kiwior is real, and Arsenal are ready to act if the numbers align. Expect swift movement: a sale only happens in tandem with a left-sided defensive addition. If the dominoes fall, Arsenal emerge with a streamlined squad and a like-for-like upgrade that keeps the title push on track.
