Arsenal are about to sign £22m player, Chelsea wanted him before getting Badiashile – journalist

Journalist Santi Aouna has claimed that Chelsea wanted to sign Jakub Kiwior before the eventually completed a deal to bring in Benoit Badiashile.

The Poland international is now closing in on a deal to join Arsenal, who sit pretty at the top of the Premier League.

Badiashile was one of the first additions in what has been a busy winter transfer window for the Blues. The France international has already made his debut for the club, with it coming in the 1-0 win against Crystal Palace.

He received plenty of praise for his display by Graham Potter. His ability on the ball in particular caught the eye of the manager.

However, it has since emerged that he was not the only defensive option the club were considering.

Aouna has claimed they were considering the signing of Kiwor before news emerged that he was set to join the side across the capital.

He said: “Agreement reached between Arsenal and Spezia for the transfer of Kiwior. Estimated price at 25M€. 5-and-a-half-year contract.

“Chelsea had positioned themselves before signing Badiashile”

Chelsea wanted Kiwior before Badiashile

This is not the first deal this month where the two arch-rivals have found themselves tangled up in negotiations together.

Arsenal looked the favourites for a considerable amount of time to land the signing of Mykhailo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk.

However, rapid negotiations from Todd Boehly and co saw him signed and introduced to his new fans at last weekend’s game.

The Gunners have seemingly ended up with the signing of Leandro Trossard, who was linked to his fair share of Premier League clubs including Chelsea.

Then of course there was the loan signing of Joao Felix, with the Portugal international highly sought after by the top teams in England.

Arsenal were reportedly big fans of a deal before he was taken on loan by the Blues.