Polish journalist Tomasz Włodarczyk first reported the contact, with multiple sources in Portugal and Spain confirming Barcelona's concrete interest in the 26-year-old centre-back who played a central role in Porto's Portuguese title win this season.
Kiwior joined Porto on loan from Arsenal last summer — initially valued at a €2 million loan fee — before the Primeira Liga champions activated their €17 million purchase option, making the deal permanent. Having only just bought the player, Porto's negotiating position is strong. They are understood to have set an asking price in the region of €40 million, significantly above the fee they paid to make the transfer permanent.
Barcelona's own valuation of Kiwior sits closer to €30 million — a figure that reflects both the player's profile and the club's constrained financial position.
The interest has moved beyond scouting. Barcelona representatives attended Porto matches on multiple occasions during the season, and the contact between Deco and Villas-Boas marks a step toward formal negotiation. However, sources within the Catalan club are careful to describe the talks as exploratory. The priority for Hansi Flick's defensive recruitment remains a left-sided centre-back who can play aggressively in a high defensive line. Kiwior fits that profile — he can also operate at left-back and in midfield, where Thiago Motta used him extensively at Spezia — but he is not yet a primary target.
The Bastoni situation reached a definitive conclusion in recent days. Inter Milan's asking price of €70 million to €75 million was beyond what Barcelona were prepared to commit, particularly with the club still seeking a frontline striker to replace Robert Lewandowski. Technical concerns from Hansi Flick about whether Bastoni's profile suited his specific defensive demands also contributed to the withdrawal.
Kiwior made 39 competitive appearances for Porto this season, contributing two assists in a campaign that ended with a league title.
Whether Barcelona's interest translates into a formal bid will depend on how their broader summer planning develops. The defensive position is real but not the priority.