Arsenal are set to lose Jakub Kiwior thanks to the arrival of Spanish defender Cristhian Mosquera and have already lined up French youngster Jérémy Jacquet as his replacement, per multiple reports.
Mosquera is being primed as one of Mikel Arteta’s main men for the future, thanks to the growing possibility that either William Saliba or Gabriel Magalhães will leave the club in the coming transfer windows. However, the Valencia academy product will be the main understudy to both leading center-backs, which sends Kiwior further down the pecking order.
The Pole arrived at Arsenal in the winter transfer window of the 2022/23 season. He has managed to make 44 league appearances for them in that time, 10 of which came in the 2024/25 season. However, at 25, he is already an established international with the Poland national team and needs more stability to be able to make their World Cup qualifying teams and the eventual squad, if they qualify. This is the driving force behind his expected exit.
Arsenal have already rejected bids from Portuguese clubs for Kiwior, according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano. The Gunners want to keep the man, per Romano, but the sentiment from his camp suggests that he will seek opportunities elsewhere. In light of this, Arteta has had Arsenal reach out to French Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais for Jacquet, 19, who is rated as one of France’s most promising young defenders.
Jacquet made only 12 league appearances for Rennes last season but is an established youth international for France. In preparation for his senior debut at club level, Rennes sent him out on loan to Ligue 2 side Clermont Foot in the summer of 2024/25, only to recall him to the club in the winter transfer window of the same season and sign him to a new contract.
Their statement, released to that effect, read: “Recalled from Clermont in the winter window, where he had been on loan since January 2024, Jeremy Jacquet has established himself with confidence in the Rennes defense and raised his game to the level of Ligue 1.”
“Playing in a three-man or four-man defense, or even as a full-back, Jeremy has put in a number of convincing performances for SRFC, demonstrating his ability to adapt on the pitch.”
“On Monday, Jeremy Jacquet signed a new contract with Stade Rennais F.C. that will run until 2029. With this extension, the club is reaffirming its confidence in a player who carries the Red and Black DNA.”
Arsenal’s contact remains a gentlemanly one, per multiple reports, as they fully intend to get the young defender to the club this summer or in the next. This summer, however, their move for him will depend mostly on Kiwior’s exit.
