Arsenal to sell Kiwior and fund deal for outstanding young Ajax talent

Martin Macdonald

• 8 Feb 2024 09:56 CST
• 2 min read

Arsenal could sell Jakub Kiwior in the upcoming summer transfer window and pursue a deal for Ajax’s outstanding young defender Jorrel Hato.

Kiwior told Polish outlet Super Express last month that he would like to play more at Arsenal and that he was flattered by reported interest in him from Serie A sides AC Milan and Roma.

The 23-year-old centre back was signed from Spezia for a fee rising to €25 million last winter but has yet to make a significant breakthrough under Mikel Arteta.

He has occasionally featured at left-back but is well down the pecking order behind Oleksandr Zinchenko, Takehiro Tomiyasu among others.

No way in for Kiwior

Kiwior prefers to play centre back but is a long way behind established duo William Saliba and Gabriel in that position.

Accordingly, reports in Italy have linked the Poland international with an exit and Milan and Roma are both keen on adding him to their squads.

Kiwior has got on to the pitch only 26 times in total for the Gunners since signing from Spezia and the club could now look to cash in and reinvest on a promising young Dutch international.

Jorrel Hato is regarded as the best defensive prospect in the Netherlands with the 17-year-old recently making his senior international debut.

Incredibly he has played every single minute for Ajax this season, and has even worn the captain’s armband on two occasions, becoming the youngest skipper in the club’s illustrious history.

He is a natural centre back but can also play left back, which fits the bill for Arsenal in the event that they seek to replace Kiwior.

The Gunners boast strong relationships with Ajax following the transfer of Jurrien Timber last summer and the teenage talent could follow suit this year.

Of that transfer, Hato is reported to have told ELF Voetbal: “The move to Arsenal was a wonderful one for him [Timber]. It is also my dream to one day make such a transfer, but I realise that I still have a very long way to go.”

Post-Brexit rules mean that Hato can only move when he turns 18, which he will do in March, and that could give Arsenal the opportunity to get a deal over the line.

Nonetheless, Ajax remain optimistic of extending the defender’s contract, which has only 18 months left to run, once he turns 18. Any new deal is likely to include a hefty pay rise.

Hato was given a glowing reference by his new team-mate Jordan Henderson this week with the Englishman telling the club’s official website: “It's crazy how young he is, but obviously how mature he looks when he's on the pitch and also off the pitch.

“He's a very mature person, works hard, a fantastic player. He has a bright future ahead of him, I'm sure.”

Hato made his senior debut in January 2023, becoming the third-youngest player in club history behind Ryan Gravenberch and Clarence Seedorf.