Arsenal capture Krystian Bielik

Arsenal have confirmed the deal to bring 17-year-old Krystian Bielik to the club, the club’s official site confirmed it earlier today.

The Gunners have been heavily linked with move for the teenager formerly of Legia Warsaw and after an initial bid was rejected a new undisclosed offer was accepted.

The Polish youth international was luring a number of top European clubs with the likes of German side Hamburg seriously courting his signature.

However it is Arsenal that have bagged their man having been impressed with the teenager’s debut professional campaign – despite starting just six games for the Polish side.

Manager Arsene Wenger confirmed the new signing would first be working with the U21 squad with a view to quickly developing him into a first team player.

And Wenger was happy with the capture, although he did acknowledge there was a risk factor in the deal, reported to be around £2m.

He said: “He’s a defensive midfielder, he is 6ft 2ins, he has a good energy level and a good technical level. Is £2m a lot of money? It is less than that but yes, it is a lot of money for a player if he doesn’t succeed. If he does succeed, it’s cheap. Of course, it’s a gamble. But on what we saw, it’s a gamble worth taking.”

Arsenal fans have been crying out for a defensive midfielder to come to the club this winter but will not have had this in mind.

There are now just 10 days left for the Gunners to make any more additions to their squad.