Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Championship manager confirms interest in Arsenal defender
BIRMINGHAM manager Gianfranco Zola has confirmed he is interested in keeping Arsenal defender Krystian Bielik on loan next season.
Krystian Bielik has made six appearances for Birmingham
The Poland Under-18 international joined Birmingham on a six-month loan towards the end of the January transfer window.
The 19-year-old initially struggled for game time at St Andrew’s but has started the Blues last four Championship game at centre-back.
Krystian Bielik has made six appearances for Birmingham this season
And Zola, whose side are struggling in the bottom half of the table, is confident of keeping hold of the Arsenal youngster for another season.
"It's under consideration, obviously he is impressing," the Italian told the Birmingham Mail.
"He is a player that every time I have played him he is doing quite well and he is getting better and better. We will try.
"It is not only in our hands because obviously I know Arsenal value him very, very much and it will depend if they are interested in him having another year in Birmingham.
"I know he likes it here and would like to stay."