Krystian Bielik to Arsenal: Arsene Wenger confirms Gunners have agreed a deal for 17-year-old midfield and reveals Winston Reid interest
Arsenal look set to capture their first signing of the month in the shape of Polish midfielder Krystian Bielik
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Your support makes all the difference.Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Arsenal have agreed a fee, thought to be £2.5m, for Legia Warsaw midfielder Krystian Bielik ahead of a planned medical today.
The 17-year-old midfielder is certainly one for the future providing he can establish himself as a talent worth paying for at such an early age, but hopes are high for the Pole despite his inexperience.
When asked if a fee had been agreed as was claimed by Legia on Thursday, Wenger replied: “Yes.”
Wenger also hinted at a move for West Ham defender Winston Reid as he confirmed the Gunners’ interest in the New Zealand defender, though he also explained that the club are looking at a number of defensive targets.
“Of course,” said Wenger when asked if he was looking at Reid. “We are out on the market and every day, all our scouts, all our people are working hard to find to find a defender.
"At the moment, we are looking more for the defensive department."
Bielik was quoted by the Legia club website yesterday as saying: "I'm going to London to fulfil my dreams. I hope I will become an Arsenal player soon."
Bielik has only made six appearances for Warsaw this season, but Wenger believes that he is ready to step up immediately and the belief is that he will include him in the first-team squad as soon as the deal is completed, although there is always the option of sending him out on loan to increase his chances of first-team football.
He will also offer the Gunners a bit more flexibility in midfield following the loss of captain Mikel Arteta for another six weeks at least following an operation on his ankle, although there are fears he could be absent for as much as three months.
With Mathieu Flamini and Francis Coquelin the only other options capable of fulfilling the holding role in front of the back-four, Bielik could see many opportunities come his way on the near-future. However, Coquelin has proved to have been a helpful addition to the side since returning from a loan spell with Charlton last month.
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