Arsenal‘s continue their chase for Polish wonderkid Krystian Bielik. Their chase might become a little more difficult as the 17-year-old holding is also being sought by Bundesliga side Hamburg, who remain optimistic about beating the Gunners for the Polish player’s signature.
The Gunners look willing to up their offer of A?1.6m and according to the latest reports have sent their ‘chief negotiator’ Dick Law to Poland to finalise the deal. It comes amid competition from Hamburg.
Reports last month suggested that Bielik and his parents visited Arsenal and their facilities and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and his staff, successfully convinced the player and his family to settle in London.
According to some Polish reports doing rounds in December, the London based Premier League club also agreed personal terms with the club, and his wages were set to significantly increase upon signing for the Gunners. There were suggestions that Bielik would earn close to A?2000 a week if he is to signed for Arsenal. He currently earns around A?125 a week.
Arsenal deal-fixer Dick Law has traveled to Warsaw for further talks. The Gunners have already seen two of their bids rejected for the midfielder by the Polish club. Sources close to Legia state that the club is frustrated with how far away Arsenal’s offers are from their a 3.2 million asking price.
Bundesliga side Hamburg are hopeful they could edge Arsenal out for the services of the defensive midfielder. Coach Josef Zinnbauer was happy after Bielik visited the Bundesliga club and said that the player was not bluffing of his interest in the German side
“Of course Arsenal are also interested but I don’t think he is bluffing [about being interested in us],” Zinnbauer told Kicker. “Otherwise he didn’t need to come to Hamburg.
“He is a really good boy who has very good build-up play. He would fit in perfectly with our philosophy.”
Peter Knabel, Hamburg’s sporting director, also confirmed that the teenager had made the trip to Germany but warned that “there is some good competition out there for him”.
The Polish player is one of Arsenal’s primary targets in this window and the club should try hard to secure his services. He is hugely talented, and already has a strong physique despite being only 17 years old, He is one who would be a long term solution to the club’s problems, but also possesses the attributes to be slotted in the starting 11 in the near future.