Spezia boss Luca Gotti has expressed his disappointment at Jakub Kiwior's impending transfer to Arsenal - but has congratulated the player on moving to the Premier League leaders.
Reports from Polish journalist Tomasz Wlodarczyk on Friday claimed that a £20 million deal between Arsenal and Spezia was close for the 22-year-old centre-back, with football.london reporting on Saturday that both sides were in advanced talks.
Kiwior has since been spotted heading into an Italian airport, en route to London, and Goal's Charles Watts has revealed that the Poland star has been meeting his future team-mates this afternoon.
Advert
A left-footed centre-back, Kiwior will add competition for Gabriel Magalhaes in defence, while he can also play at left-back and in defensive midfield.
With the move close to completion, Spezia's manager naturally had mixed feelings about the transfer, but reserved positive words for the player himself.
Spezia boss on Kiwior transfer
When asked about the impending deal, Gotti - who was Maurizio Sarri's assistant at Chelsea - replied (quotes via Football Italia): "I am very happy for Kiwior, and for the opportunity created. At the same time, it is the club's best sale ever and I probably think that the club is also happy as well."
Advert
However, he added: "I cannot be happy with it. There are coaches who constantly complain and ask for reinforcements. That is not me, but I am often in a situation where my clubs sell at a big profit. That doesn't mean the players who arrive to replace them are worse, they are merely less ready to deliver.
"It is frustrating for a coach, as when you work to build them up, you then don't get to enjoy the fruits of your labour, as they are sold and you press the reset button."
Spezia will now attempt to source a replacement - and Gotti will no doubt be hoping they can recruit a player with as similar a profile to Kiwior as possible.
Their next assignment is on Sunday, when they host Jose Mourinho's Roma in Serie A.
Topics: Arsenal, Premier League, Transfers
Ryan Smart