Arsenal Transfer News: Krystian Bielik Confirms Deal Rumours, Petr Cech Latest

Legia Warsaw youngster Krystian Bielik has confirmed he intends to join Arsenal and is just waiting for the clubs to strike an agreement before he moves to north London.

The Premier League side has reportedly had a £1.6 million offer rejected for the 17-year-old, per David Hytner of the Guardian. Hytner suggests €3 million (approximately £2.35 million) will see the deal done. Bielik is ready to commit to the Gunners and is waiting for the green light before heading to England, reported by Jamie Sanderson of the Metro.

"I’ve made a decision [to join Arsenal] and I’m not going to change it," Bielik 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."

Bielik's qualities are highlighted below:

It's widely recognised that Arsene Wenger needs to add a defensive midfielder to his squad, but Bielik isn't who many Arsenal fans would have had in mind. He could be a future star—he is built solidly and possesses intelligence on the ball—but Wenger will likely need more immediate quality to aid his side's chances of success.

Sam Wallace of the London Evening Standard believes a £25 million battle with Tottenham Hotspur for Morgan Schneiderlin is likely to ensue.

The French midfielder recently confirmed he wishes to see out the season at Southampton after failing to negotiate a move away last summer, reported by Telefoot (h/t Neil McLeman of the Mirror): "I will finish my season with Southampton and then see what happens in the future. I don’t get worried about these things anymore. If this summer I have learned something, you can never think: I am gone, gone for good."

Steve Bardens/Getty Images

Another rumour Arsenal can't seem to shake is the link to Petr Cech. The Chelsea stopper continues to play second fiddle to Thibaut Courtois this season and appears to be on borrowed time at Stamford Bridge.

Matt Law of The Telegraph believes Cech "will be left to choose his next club if and when the goalkeeper feels his Chelsea career is over, which opens the door to a summer bid from Arsenal."

Cech is needed for the remainder of the season after Mark Schwarzer joined Leicester City. The Czech international offers too much quality to waste away on the sub's bench for the rest of his career, though, and could offer Wenger an alternative to Wojciech Szczesny.

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

The Polish stopper's future is reportedly in doubt after he was caught smoking in the showers after Arsenal's defeat to Saints, per Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail.

Wenger, as always, continues to be linked with multiple targets. Gunners specialist James McNicholas recently spoke to B/R UK's Ryan Bailey about the likely arrivals:

Bielik's move appears close to going through, but this needs to just be the start for Arsenal. Proven world-class quality is craved if the team is to progress, and indeed, comfortably maintain its run of consecutive Champions League appearances.

Players such as Schneiderlin and Cech—experienced, reliable and quality—could make all the difference as Arsenal aim to expand on last season's FA Cup success. Building for the future is all well and good, but Wenger must address the side's obvious weaknesses if the present is to yield lasting joy.