"With all due respect..." - Agent reveals how Arsenal's influence ruined a club's chances of signing player

Arsenal’s influence ruined Serie A clubs’ chances of signing Jakub Kiwior in January, according to the player’s agent.

The Gunners had a busy winter transfer window, as the club look to claim their first league title since 2004.

Despite failing to land either Mykhailo Mudryk or Moises Caicedo, the club’s primary targets, Mikel Arteta brought in three players.

Leandro Trossard arrived from Brighton for an initial £21million, while Chelsea’ Jorginho was signed at a bargain £12million on Deadline Day.

Meanwhile Kiwior came in for £20million from Spezia to provide much needed cover at left centre-back.

Kiwior received rival interest

Before signing for Arsenal Kiwior had reportedly been the subject of interest from Serie A’s biggest clubs, including Juventus, AC Milan, Inter MIlan and Napoli.

The player’s agent, Sasha Baranov, admitted that while there had been interest from club’s in Italy, Arsenal’s approach was the most enticing.

Speaking on TV Play Baranov said: “We thought the boy deserved an important team, with all due respect to Bologna, the boy couldn’t go to a team like Bologna.

“When Arsenal arrives for a 22-year-old boy it becomes difficult to say no. If it had been Juventus or another team it would have perhaps been the same, but Arsenal is the team that has gone further in the discussions.”

The Poland international’s initial plan was to finish the season at Spezia, though Baranov admitted he convinced his client to accept the Gunners’ offer in January.

“I didn’t think it would be so fast,” Kiwior’s agent added.

“If I’m honest we didn’t think he would leave in January, we were thinking more from a summer perspective, thinking of staying in La Spezia until June.

“Arsenal then arrived, the boy didn’t put pressure, he said that if it could get done, fine, otherwise he would have waited.”