Arsenal’s blossoming young gun Krystian Bielik has been linked to Championship outfit Derby County, as per reports.
Bielik is expected to leave the Emirates Stadium this summer and Sportowe Fakty have claimed that the Rams are monitoring him from close quarters.
Apart from Derby County, a host of English sides including West Bromwich Albion, Brentford and Middlesbrough are also believed to be in the race to sign him.
Derby County paved their way into the Championship play-offs last season under the tutelage of Frank Lampard before eventually losing out to Aston Villa in the final.
With Phillip Cocu at the helm of the Pride Park Stadium outfit now, Derby County have mostly relied on free transfers this summer in order to beef up their ranks.
Their reported transfer target, Bielik, has a price tag of £10million slapped on his collar and it is to be seen whether Cocu goes all out to sign him or not.
Krystian Bielik: Career so far
Bielik emerged through the youth ranks of Polish side Legia Warsaw and was lured to the Emirates Stadium in the January transfer window of 2015 by Arsene Wenger.
Due to immense competition for a place in the senior side of the Gunners, he was shipped out on loan to Birmingham City, Walsall and Charlton Athletic.
His spell with the Latics last season proved to be a beneficial one for him as he played an instrumental role in helping them win promotion through the League One play-offs.
Despite that, he is unlikely to make a breakthrough into Arsenal’s starting lineup in the upcoming campaign and might be looking for an exit route.
Why Derby County need him
The 21-year-old is a versatile player and is capable of plying his trade as a central defensive midfielder as well as a central defender, which could be handy for Derby County.
He is an imposing threat in the air and is an astute passer of the ball.
Possessing a strong physique, he has the capability to outmuscle his opposition and is a decisive tackler. Besides, he is a calm and composed figure on the pitch and his maturity belies his age.
With Richard Keogh and Curtis Davis being the only central defenders at Cocu’s disposal, the entry of Bielik into their ranks will bring competition and also enhance the quality of Derby County’s backline which is the need of the hour.
