Reports on Tuesday had revealed that Jakub Kiwior is one of the names on Barcelona’s shortlist as they look to shore up their options at the back this summer.
The Polish centre-back is coming off the back of a promising season at FC Porto, after joining the club on a loan deal from Arsenal.
Barcelona not interested in Kiwior
However, according to Mundo Deportivo, Kiwior is not among the options on Barcelona’s sporting management’s shortlist to bolster their central defence.
Barcelona not considering a move for Kiwior. (Photo by Mateusz Slodkowski/Getty Images)
Despite the reports emerging from Poland suggesting Deco had contacted Porto president Andre Villas-Boas to enquire about the player, the Catalan club have no active interest in pursuing a deal.
The reports from Poland had cited the website Meczyki as their source, claiming Deco had reached out to explore the possibility of negotiating a transfer for Kiwior.
Porto are expected to exercise their €17 million purchase option on July 1st, with the Portuguese club’s well-known tendency to sell players making him a potentially accessible target for European clubs.
Is Kiwior a good option for Barcelona?
FC Porto are expected to sign Kiwior on a permanent deal. (Photo by Rafal Oleksiewicz/Getty Images)
Kiwior’s profile is not without merit. The 26-year-old stands at 1.89 metres, is left-footed and is versatile enough to play as a centre-back, left-back or even defensive midfielder, having featured in 39 matches for Porto this season as a key defensive figure.
However, after his struggles to establish himself at Arsenal, Barcelona appear unconvinced that he represents the calibre of addition they are targeting.
The club continue to look elsewhere for the left-footed centre-back they want, with Bastoni’s situation having cooled due to Inter Milan’s financial demands.