Arsenal close to sealing deal to sign Krystian Bielik from Legia Warsaw

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jan/08/arsenal-krystian-bielik-legia-warsaw

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Arsenal are close to signing the Polish teenager Krystian Bielik from Legia Warsaw, with his agent confident that a deal will be agreed in the next few days.

Bielik, 17, visited Arsenal’s training ground last month and is keen to join Arsène Wenger’s side despite interest from the Italian side Roma. However, Arsenal have been told they must increase their offer of £1.6m to around £2.5m.

“We are speaking and hopefully we will find a solution,” his agent Cezary Kucharski told Guardian sport.

Having made his first-team debut for Legia earlier this season, Bielik has already made seven appearances despite only turning 17 last week. Already 6ft 2in, he is usually deployed as a defensive midfielder but it remains to be seen whether Wenger plans to promote him to the senior squad straight away.

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Bielik was quoted in Polish media on Wednesday as saying that he is hopeful a deal can be agreed soon.

“I’ve made a decision [to join Arsenal] and I’m not going to change it,” he said. “I am looking forward to an agreement between the heads of the clubs. I realise that the negotiations may take some time. I am, however, confident it will happen soon.”