Arsenal close on £20m Spezia defender and Ivan Fresneda of Real Valladolid
The Arsenal manager said he broke his usual model of signing players aged 24 or under as he felt Trossard could hit the ground running
Arsenal have bolstered their Premier League title credentials with Jakub Kiwior set to follow Leandro Trossard in joining the club this month.
The club have agreed a fee of about £17.5 million with Spezia for Kiwior, the 22-year-old defender, who has been offered a contract until 2028.
Arsenal have been looking for a left-sided defender to provide back-up for Gabriel and Mikel Arteta watched all four of the Poland international’s matches at the World Cup in Qatar.
Kiwior will fly to London imminently and could watch the match against Manchester United on Sunday. He has also played in central midfield and joined Spezia in 2021 having spent two years at Anderlecht in his early career. Arteta would not be drawn on the details of the deal but has previously said that he needed a stronger squad.
Trossard, 28, could make his debut against United after completing his move for an initial £21 million, rising to £26 million, from Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Arsenal manager said he broke his usual model of signing players aged 24 or under as he felt Trossard could hit the ground running.
“He can have an immediate impact on the team; when you look at his career, what he has done in the last few years, he fits our way of playing,” Arteta said.
Reports also claim they are closing in on Ivan Fresneda of Real Valladolid.The Spaniard is just 18, but he has been in terrific form and has caught the attention of several big European sides this term.
Real Madrid seemed to be leading the race for his signature, but a report on El Desmarque has just revealed Mikel Arteta has called him to convince the teenager about moving to London.
