Deadly Polish forward who could cause a bidding war between Liverpool, Arsenal and Dortmund
Arsenal and Liverpool are in need of some extra goals, and it seems both clubs could be looking to Poland for their next striker. Gornik Zabrze forward Arkadiusz Milik is said to be a target for both clubs, while Spanish side Sevilla and German champions Borussia Dortmund are also in the hunt for his signature. talkSPORT's Transfer Spotlight has more...
Name: Arkadiusz Milik
Date of birth: 28 February 1994
Birthplace: Tychy, Poland
Club: Gornik Zabrze
Position: Forward
International appearances: Two Poland caps to date (12 December 2012)
What's the latest?
Arkadiusz Milik, 18, has been heavily linked with Sevilla in recent months, with the Andalucians sending scouts to watch him in action, but it looks like the Spanish club will be priced out of a move, after it emerged that Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal and Liverpool have also taken an interest in the player. Milik's current contract runs until 2016, and after Borussia Dortmund reportedly offered €2m (£1.6m) for his signature, Arsenal and Liverpool will need to moved fast if they want to pip the German club, whose star striker Robert Lewandowski was signed from the Polish league in 2010.
Did you know?
1) Milik made his first team debut with Polish fourth division side Rozwoj Katowice in the 2010/11 season as a 16-year-old, scoring two goals.
2) The striker was soon offered a trial with professional side Gornik Zabrze, but despite scoring once in two games with the club, he wasn't offered a contract. Milik then went on further trials with Reading and Tottenham before returning to Poland to play with Katowice again.
3) In July 2011, Milik was finally rewarded with his first professional deal, signing a five-year contract with Gornik Zabrze. He made his Polish first division debut as a 17-year-old in July 2011 and provided an assist in the tie against Silesia Wroclaw. He had to wait until April 2012 to score his first goals with the club, however, netting twice against Koronie Kielce. He finished the 2011/12 season as the youngest scorer in the Polish League season and the seventh youngest in the history of the first division.
4) The 2012/13 season has been the striker's best yet, scoring two in his first two matches and being voted player of the month of August as a result. He currently has six goals in eight appearances in all competitions this year, no doubt impressing the scouts who have came to Poland to observe him.
5) Milik has played at U17, U18, U19 and U21 level for Poland, and was called up to the senior team for the first time to face South Africa in an October 2012 friendly, making his debut in the 58th minute. He played his first competitive match with the Poland first team against England in a 2014 World Cup qualifier on 17 October 2012, coming on in the 82nd minute.
They say
“He's a player who is a pleasure to watch. He has a great left foot, good speed. He has everything to have a good career. I think he should stay in Zabrze, maybe even for two-three years. He's young and has plenty of time to leave. Early departures aren't always good for footballers. Sure, he could probably leave now and click immediately, but it's not certain.” Lukas Podolski talking to Polish news site Gwizdek24 on Milik.
Video evidence (nice title - 'competent striker')
Would Milik be a good addition to Liverpool or Arsenal in winter, or should they risk letting Dortmund get in first by waiting until the summer? Leave your thoughts below...