Jakub Kiwior: Arsenal close to signing Spezia and Poland defender in deal worth £20m

Mikel Arteta's Gunners have been looking for a left-sided centre-back to provide competition for Gabriel and it looks like they have blindsided pundits with a move for Spezia defender Jakub Kiwior for £20m.

While Brazilian defender Gabriel has played every single minute for the Gunners in this Premier League season - and every minute in all competitions since the World Cup break, 22-year-old target Kiwior started all four games for Poland at the World Cup in Qatar. 

Sky Italy are reporting the left-footed player will fly into the UK over the weekend for a medical, with personal terms not expected to be problematic.

The signing would represewnt a remarkable rise for the defender who was playing in the Slovakian professional league just two years ago.

While Kiwior may have gone under the radar in Serie A, Arteta and Edu have been monitoring his progress, with the technically-talented defender offering a range of passing, and an ability to defend strongly under pressure.

Premier League leaders Arsenal are hosting third place Manchester United in a mouth-watering clash on Sunday - with Kiwior possibly in attendance.