Arsene Wenger believes the imminent signing of Krystian Bielik from Legia Warsaw is a gamble, despite spending just a mere £2 million on the young Polish midfielder.
The 17-year-old is set to join the Gunners before Sunday’s game against Manchester City after undergoing a medical on Friday and agreeing terms and a fee with Legia Warsaw.
The Arsenal faithful will have a mixed view on the signing of Bielik, who is considered one for the future. Former Gunner Alan Smith called it a ‘classic Wenger signing’ and thinks he’s a player who will not have an immediate impact.
However, Wenger recently stated that Bielik will go into the first-team squad against Manchester City:
‘He’s a defensive midfielder, 6ft 2ins, he has a good energy level and technical level. Also, it’s a gamble. But on what we saw it’s worth taking.’
He added:
‘It’s less than £2m. It’s an awful lot of money for a player if he doesn’t succeed. If he does succeed then it’s cheap. Yes (he will go into first team squad).’
Now we all know Wenger is known for his frugalness, trying to haggle for the best price for a player, but this takes it to a whole new level.
Should the £2 million signing of Bielik really be labelled as a gamble? Better yet, is £2 million ‘an awful lot of money’ to spend on an inexperienced player?
Well perhaps £2 million for an unknown 17-year-old is a big chunk of money, but not an ‘awful lot’. But for a club like Arsenal, £2 million is peanuts, and Wenger’s comments about such a fee will only embarrass himself and the club. If Bielik doesn’t turn out to be the player Wenger expects then the Frenchman hasn’t really lost anything in the long-term.
Bielik appears to have all the qualities to become a very good player for Arsenal and for £2 million will be considered a bargain rather than a gamble.
why are you repeating a lie, Wenger did not say the lad would go into the squad for the man city game, (even the quotes you include do not state any such thing, so why claim it) just cos the Mirror put out a sensational headline claiming it, does not make it anything other than a bare face lie. How could Bielik go into the squad v Man City when he has not signed his contract yet, and once he does, he then needs international clearance. Also all that would have been needed by noon yesterday for him to be able to be included in squad for tomorrow’s game.
Common sense really, everyone knows (except press) that you need International Clearance and he has not got that yet. Maybe Wenger is including an ineligible player!!!!!!!!!!
Yes but Wenger did say he would go into the first team squad.A kid whos played 5 top flight games in Poland.Tight wad buy a bloody proper adult DM ffs..Kid will be ruined like Chambers.Can’t wait for the inevitable failure to get CL next season.Wengers abysmal transfer policy and inability.to form a proper gameplan or coach defence will be dissected in great detail and about time.Southampton showing the Can’tcompete with the oilys brigade up for the excuse making sheep they are.How much do Southampton make a yr again ?Whats their wage bill ?48 mill ?Whats Arsenals ?166 mill ?HaHa what a joke.