Derby County midfielder Krystian Bielik has opened up regarding his future with the Rams, as speculation continues to grow surrounding his future, according to Leigh Curtis of Derbyshire Live.
Despite the club being relegated from the Championship, Bielik has still spent the last season in the second tier as he joined Midlands club Birmingham City on loan for the season.
And with the Blues interested in making the Poland international a part of their squad permanently, the 25-year-old has claimed his agent has contacted Derby County over his future, with just 12 months remaining on his contract at Pride Park.
Birmingham City are reportedly keen on the midfielder, who has just been called up to the Polish team for internationals against Germany and Moldova next month, as he impressed during his season-long loan with the Blues and boss John Eustace is said to be an admirer of Bielik’s.
However, there are issues on Blues’ side also, as they currently have issues of their own with Financial Fair Play and they will have to wait for Tom Wagner’s takeover of the club to be completed before they can begin to think about making any signings.
With Derby failing to earn promotion this season after they missed out on the playoffs on the final day, Paul Warne admitted he did not want to hold any hostages when it comes to players’ futures, especially those who have contracts with the club coming to an end. However, Warne did say at the end of last season that the club would be holding different conversations with Bielik if they had won promotion from the third tier.
Bielik made 35 appearances in the Championship for the Blues last season, scoring and assisting once each, however, he did pick up a staggering 13 yellow cards. With his Derby future hanging in the balance, it is a difficult time for the club financially and a player of his stature would possibly demand more than the club could manage. One other factor is the issues surrounding his switch to the Rams from Premier League side Arsenal, as the East Midlands club still owes part of the payment plan they agreed with the Gunners in his £8 million move.
For now, he will be focused on his international career as he looks to become part of the Poland national team and potentially play in the 2024 European Championship, this could factor into his decision to depart Derby also as he will be looking for a higher standard of football to prove himself to his manager. He has his chance next month as part of the squad in the qualifiers for the tournament where they will play Germany and Moldova.
“I still have a one-year contract with Derby. I don’t close any doors. I also know there is a lot of interest from Birmingham City. I have a signal that the coach and the board of the club want me on the team. We need to sit down, talk and discuss this option.”
“My agent is in contact with the club. For now, I tried to rest a bit and not think about transfer issues.
“Now I have started to focus on training before the training camp and I hope that I will be able to show myself on the pitch in the national team’s matches against Germany and Moldova.
“This will certainly help me to reassure the interested clubs that I am fine.”
Nevertheless, he has not shut the door completely on his time at Pride Park and stated he is open to discussions, but the club may feel it is in both parties best interests, more so for them financially, that the player make the move away from the club and further his career at a higher level.
Writer’s View
Bielik is an extremely talented player, which can be seen from his call-up to the Poland team for next month’s qualifiers and he will be potentially looking for a higher level to prove himself as the Rams prepare for another season in the third tier, he will be looking to make that switch to St Andrew’s permanent and it is a decision that is best for his future. For Derby, it is a big loss, especially as you have to imagine that any fee they receive will be going straight back to Arsenal.
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