FCSB owner Gigi Becali has warned Premier League giants Arsenal that it will take ‘a lot of money’ to lure Romania U21 star Ianis Stoica away from Bucharest, speaking to Pro X, translated by Digi Sport.
Now, 18-year-old Ianis Stoica is hardly a household name in North London.
But if we told you that the teenager models his game on none other than Kylian Mbappe, that should give you a good idea about what to expect from a rampaging right-winger who has already scored six goals in 14 games this term.
Direct, deliciously dynamic and boasting enough speed to sear a whole rack of lamb, Stoica is the sort of player who keeps full-backs up at night.
FCSB, the club formerly known as Steaua Bucharest, have already turned down a £1.5 million bid from an as-yet unnamed club however.
And Becali, one of the most outspoken owners in the game, has wasted little time in reminding Arsenal that Stoica will be going nowhere on the cheap.
Will Arsenal pay up for Ianis Stoica?
“I think I’ll earn a lot of money (for Stoica),” says Becali, who has previously discussed Premier League interest in Florinel Coman and Darius Olaru.
“I don’t want to say any more. He’s new. Arsenal watched him but it’s fine. Maybe in a year or two, they can sign him but, for now, Ianis is not for sale.
“He is strong, he has physicality, he has strength. He’s very smart. If you talk to him, you wouldn’t say he’s 18, you’d say he’s 23.”
Message received. Come back in ‘a year or two’ Arsenal, and then maybe Becali will be more inclined to listen to offers. For now, stay away.
“I don’t see Ianis Stoica as number nine but he is an extremely interesting player with a great future,” former FSCB star Ilie Dumitrescu said recently (DigiSport).
“He is a player with personality, who takes individual actions. He hits the goal and finishes. He is a very good boy.
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