Hamburg have confirmed they are hoping to sign the Polish teenager Krystian Bielik, who was the subject of a bid from Arsenal last week. The 17-year-old has just returned to Poland after a trip to visit the Bundesliga club.
Arsenal had a £1.6m bid rejected by Legia Warsaw last week, with the Polish club holding out for £2.3m. And while Hamburg acknowledge that they face competition for the midfielder’s signature the coach, Josef Zinnbauer, is optimistic the player will join them.
“Of course Arsenal are also interested but I don’t think he is bluffing [about being interested in joining Hamburg]. Otherwise he didn’t need to come to Hamburg,” Zinnbauer told Kicker. “He is a really good boy who has very good build-up play. He would fit in perfectly with our philosophy.”
The Hamburg sporting director, Peter Knäbel, confirmed that Bielik had visited the club but added: “There is some good competition out there for him.”
Roma have also shown an interest in the player, who has made five league appearances for Legia Warsaw.
