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According to Calciomercato, Juventus have rekindled their interest in Arsenal defender Jaku Kiwior. The Gunners have signed Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna, so Oleksandr Zinchenko or Kiwior is expected to leave this summer.
Zinchenko starred in the pre-season friendly with Bayer Leverkusen and took up a new shirt number. Hence, the Ukrainian might stay. However, Kiwior has struggled for game time since his arrival from Spezia in January 2023.
He could head back to Serie A, as Juventus boss Thiago Motta is reportedly an admirer of the Pole. They worked together in Spezia, and Motta is open to the possibility of reuniting with the promising defender.
Juventus shifted their attention to Jean-Clair Tobido from Kiwior for a while. The Frenchman, though, grew tired of the delay and is now West Ham-bound, resulting in the Old Lady once again taking interest in Kiwior.
Kiwior, 24, has made 38 appearances for the Gunners, including 30 last season. With Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Jurrien Timber and Calafiori present, Kiwior could be surplus to requirements.
Kiwior is versatile and can play as a left-back and centre-back. He's contracted with Arsenal until the end of the 2027-28 season, and the defender is valued at €30 million by Transfermarkt.
Riccardo Calafiori makes his Arsenal debut
Riccardo Calafiori has made his Arsenal debut during the Emirates Cup showdown against Olympique Lyon, a friendly. The Gunners won 2-0, thanks to goals from central defenders William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.
Manager Mikel Arteta hinted after the Leverkusen game that he didn't want to rush Calafiori. He revealed wanting to give the player a slow progress (via 90min):
"We want to do it slowly, to get him in the best possible way. Hopefully, on Sunday, he will be available to play some minutes."
Calafiori came on as a 64th minute substitute for Oleksandr Zinchenko. The Italian grabbed eyeballs after his impressive performances for Bologna last season. He played a crucial role in the Serie A side sealing UEFA Champions League qualification.
Calafiori was also instrumental in Italy's Euro 2024 campaign, which ended in the Round of 16 with a 2-0 defeat to Switzerland. The defender played all three group games, bagging an assist in the final game against Croatia. He missed the knockout defeat to Switzerland due to suspension, though.
Arsenal fans will hope that Calafiori can bring his qualities to the Premier League and quickly catch up to English football.
