Arsenal defender attracting interest from Chelsea after failed summer exit: Reports

Arsenal star Jakub Kiwior, who was keen to leave his club earlier this summer, has reportedly drawn interest from Chelsea in the recent past.

Kiwior, 24, has fallen down in the Gunners' pecking order since Riccardo Calafiori's arrival from Bologna in a potential £42 million switch earlier this summer. He is yet to make a single appearance this season.

Now, according to The Boot Room, Chelsea have identified Kiwior as a potential defensive target ahead of the winter transfer window. They are likely to face competition from Premier League rivals Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion in the race to sign the left-footed star.

Earlier this summer, Kiwior was reportedly keen to depart Arsenal with AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, and AS Roma interested in him. However, Gunners manager Mikel Arteta personally talked with the Poland international and convinced him to stay until next January.

Should Kiwior secure a permanent move to Chelsea in the winter transfer window, he could prove to be a decent signing. He would provide competition at centre-back and also act as a backup at left-back.

Since arriving from Spezia in a potential £21 million move in January 2023, Kiwior has made 38 appearances across competitions for Arsenal.

Chelsea loanee Raheem Sterling insists his goals align well with Arsenal following move

Speaking to club media, Arsenal star Raheem Sterling expressed his excitement about joining the Gunners on a season-long loan move from Chelsea. He said (h/t premierleague.com):

"I'm buzzing. It's one where we left it late but it's one I was hoping for. Looking at everything, I'm just like: 'This is a perfect fit for me', and I'm super happy that we got it over the line. It's a perfect fit for myself to be at a football club like this, where you can see that hunger, that desire, year on year, they are pushing and pushing and pushing. That's exactly how I am as a person."

Sterling, who is a four-time Premier League winner, concluded:

"Each year, you want to get better and do better than the previous year. Hopefully, I can gel really well with the boys and get going. It's time now to meet the boys, get settled in and hopefully now see some game time and make my mark."

In the last two campaigns, the 29-year-old winger scored 19 goals and laid out 12 assists in 81 games across competitions for Chelsea.

Sterling could make his Arsenal debut in his new club's Premier League away clash against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday (September 15).