Arsenal’s reported interest in Romania U21 star Ianis Stoica is ‘real’, agent Liubliana Nedelcu says via News TVS as the FCSB star continues to be linked with the Premier League giants.
And that’s not all.
According to Nedelcu, a well-connected agent working in Romanian football, Arsenal expressed their interest in Stoica as far back as October 8 – some six weeks before their admiration for the twinkle-toed teen emerged in the media.
Gigi Becali, FCSB’s outspoken owner, admitted in late-November that Arsenal had ‘monitored’ Stoica.
He would later claim that the Gunners had submitted a bid in the region of £6.5 million, some way short of the £8.5 million he wants.
Will Arsenal force Gigi Becali to sell Ianis Stoica?
There have been some doubts about the seriousness of Arsenal’s interest but, according to Nedelcu, it is a very ‘real’ possibility that Stoica ends up at the Emirates at some point in the future.
“The first time Arsenal asked about Ianis Stoica was in early October, October 8th to be exact,” says Nedelcu.
“And all the talk about a ‘possible interest’ is pointless because the interest is real, not ‘possible’.”
The FCSB chief is planning to keep his prized asset for another couple of seasons before letting him go when Stoica’s market value is at it’s maximum.
Of course, there is still a chance that a club with Arsenal’s ambition and resources can stump up an offer that Becali simply couldn’t refuse.
Stoica, who models his game on PSG star Kylian Mbappe, has scored six goals in 16 games this season.
“He must disregard Arsenal,” Stoica’s Romania U21 coach Florin Bratu said recently, reminding the youngster that the grass is not always greener elsewhere.
“We have to be honest, it is very difficult at the moment to play a Romanian player at Arsenal.
“(Although) it’s an important thing that he’s wanted there. That proves his value.”
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