Arsenal confirmed Jakub Kiwior's permanent move to Porto after the Portuguese champions triggered the option to buy him at the end of his season-long loan. The defender's switch is now set on a four-year contract, with the deal reported at £14million and rising to as much as £19m.
The club confirmed the departure in its weekly loan watch update, saying: "Jakub Kiwior's move to Porto has now become permanent following the Dragaos' Liga Portugal title triumph last weekend." Kiwior had joined Porto on loan last year and, after the title clincher, the move was always expected to be completed.
He was an unused substitute in Porto's 3-1 defeat at AFS this weekend, days after the team wrapped up the league and turned the temporary arrangement into a permanent transfer. For Arsenal, the timing matters because the club is heading into Monday's league meeting with Burnley at the Emirates Stadium while also managing a short-handed right side of defense.
That shortage was exposed on Sunday when Declan Rice spent the first half at right-back in Arsenal's win over West Ham after Ben White went off injured. White's MCL problem is expected to keep him out until the end of the season, and Jurrien Timber's fitness remains a concern, leaving Mikel Arteta with limited cover in a position that was already under strain.
The emergency role for Rice prompted debate, and Paul Scholes backed the idea that the midfielder could continue there if needed. "Declan Rice looks like he would suit playing at right-back to me. He can play there. He’s not a big creator anyway," Scholes said, while Nicky Butt added: "Roy Keane played right-back for two-thirds of a season." Scholes also said Keane "played there loads and was brilliant."
Porto's title win has settled Kiwior's future, but Arsenal's wider problem is still open. With White unavailable and Timber a doubt, the club may end up treating Rice's spell at full-back less as a one-off and more as a stopgap that could last through the run-in.
