The father of Arsenal target Ianis Stoica believes the FCSB winger should stay at the Romanian giants ‘for as long as possible’ amid reported interest from the Premier League giants, speaking to Look Sport.
It’s not often a player from the Romanian league attracts interest from one of the biggest clubs in European football.
Understandably, speculation over Stoica’s future has set tongues wagging in Bucharest. Especially after FCSB’s outspoken owner Gigi Becali made Arsenal’s interest public knowledge.
The Gunners, he said, submitted a bid of around £6.5 million for the jet-heeled forward. Becali wants closer to £8.5 million, however.
And even if Arsenal increase their offer, there is no guarantee that Stoica will be sold.
“For me, things are very clear,” Becali said, pointing out that another FCSB graduate, Dennis Man, only joined Parma after nearly 150 appearances for the Romanian giants.
Stoica, in contrast, has played just 22 games for the club formerly known as Steaua Bucharest.
“You will not see 18 or 19-year-old players leave. I’m not going to let go of young footballers from FCSB,” Becali adds.
Will Ianis Stoica seal his Arsenal move?
Stoica scored one and set up another during FCSB’s recent 3-1 victory over local rivals FC Rapid, a performance which only enhanced his reputation at home and abroad.
“I had a lot of emotions but I’m glad it ended well,” Stoica’s father said after that hard-fought derby win. “I say yes (my son has a bright future).
“We have to trust him. He’s a good, talented and a promising kid. For now, I want him to play for FCSB for as long as possible.
“He’s always dreamed of playing and scoring goals. As a parent, I told him to be serious about training, to respect what the coach says, and to come up with something extra.
“Because he’s good enough.”
Liubliana Nedelcu, an influential agent in Romanian football, claims that Arsenal’s interest is very much ‘real’.
The London giants, Nedelcu adds, have been watching Stoica since the beginning of October.
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