Arsenal ‘ready to sell Thomas Partey’ to raise funds for three-man January transfer list
Arsenal sporting director Edu has reportedly decided to block advances for Jakub Kiwior in the January transfer window, although Cedric Soares may be allowed to leave. The pair have both struggled for game time under Mikel Arteta this season, with five defenders comfortably ahead in the pecking order.
Centre-back William Saliba has played more Premier League minutes than any other Arsenal star this term. Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes and Oleksandr Zinchenko are also high on the list, with Takehiro Tomiyasu seeing plenty of action across 12 league appearances too.
By comparison, Kiwior has notched fewer than 250 minutes in the Premier League, and Cedric has only appeared in cup competitions. According to the Evening Standard, final decisions have been made on their futures in north London.
Kiwior, 23, has high-profile suitors in Italy after enjoying a successful two-year spell with Spezia earlier in his career. But the likes of AC Milan are set to be left disappointed at the news that Arsenal have no plans to move him on.
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The Poland international is tied down to a long-term contract, putting Arsenal under no pressure to sell, and he is less than a year into his £21million move from Italy. Arteta is believed to value his ability to play across the back line or as a defensive midfielder.
Kiwior admitted earlier this month that his first few months with the Gunners were ‘difficult’, before adding that things are ‘getting easier’ as his English improves.
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While Edu is prepared to put his foot down regarding the centre-back, Cedric’s career may be heading in a different direction. The same report states that he will be allowed to leave in January – likely to Villarreal, who first made contact in the summer.
Cedric’s contract is due to expire at the end of the season, meaning Arsenal would surely pounce at the chance to recoup any kind of fee for the 32-year-old while they still can.
The full-back has made only 33 Premier League appearances across three-and-a-half seasons as a permanent Arsenal player, scoring once. Arteta already has plenty of cover on the right side of defence with White and Tomiyasu.
The Gunners are reportedly sounding out opportunities to sign a midfielder and a striker this winter, with Brentford forward Ivan Toney and Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz among those linked.
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