Report: Bielik-to-Arsenal deal close to done

On a day in which one promising youngster has been loaned out to cross-town rivals Crystal Palace, Arsenal might finally be getting a player in during a transfer window that's had nothing but exits so far.

Over the last few days, there have been reports that Arsenal is working on a deal for 17-year-old Legia Warsaw hulk-of-a-man Krystian Bielik. The 17-year-old, 6'2" defensive midfielder (who can also play center back and center midfield) is allegedly a top young European prospect, and as we mentioned in a Window Shopper on him last month, one publication insists on calling him "the next Patrick Vieira."

According to the Guardian's David Hynter, negotiations are ongoing, with a third offer of £2.4 million the magic figure which will allow the deal to get done -- even though Hamburg is also reportedly interested in the big Pole, making the higher bid necessary. According to the Telegraph's Jeremy Wilson, Arsenal's Dick Law (who is the Mr. Wolf of Arsenal player negotiations) is reportedly engaged with the Polish team to get the deal done. Wilson's report also has Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin staying with his Champions League-contending team until the summer; at that point, Arsenal could very well land the rumored long-time DM target. (Although the Daily Mail is freshly throwing a "suddenly-available" William Carvalho into the mix, provided Arsenal can come up with £20 million, as it's now Carvalho's "dream" to play in England.)