Premier League outfit Everton have expressed an interest in Octavian ‘Tavi’ Popescu but FSCB owner Gigi Becali wouldn’t even sell the Romania international for 50 million euros this summer, speaking to AS.
It is not exactly uncommon for a talented, up-and-coming forward to be compared to either Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi. After all, it seems that almost every country on the planet has their very own so-called ‘new CR7’.
But it’s not every day that a twinkle-toed teenager is dubbed both the second coming of Messi and Ronaldo 2.0. Popescu, in that sense, is rather unique. A footballer with the guile of Messi and the explosiveness of Ronaldo, albeit still with a lot to learn.
“Everyone sees him as the new Messi,” former FCSB ace Robert Nita said recently of the 19-year-old wonderkid.
“Great talent. There has not been a player of his quality in Romanian football for a long time,” adds Ioan Andone, a one-time Romania international. “He can play for Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.”
Everton like Romania wonderkid Octavian ‘Tavi’ Popescu
Becali, meanwhile, claims that Popescu ‘reminds me of Cristiano Ronaldo’, all blonde tips and braces, in his early days at Manchester United.
Now, the FCSB chief is a man with a reputation for, let’s say, exaggeration. Swallow his words with a shovelful of salt.
But if Everton have any plans about stepping up their alleged interest in Popescu between now and September’s transfer deadline, it seems they’d be wasting their time (DigiSport).
“50 million euros,” Becali said bullishly when asked how much it would take to convince him to cash in on Popescu.
“I am not selling Tavi Popescu now, so there is no point in talking.”
That’s that, then. Case closed, for the time being at least. Popescu, already an established Romania international at the age of just 19, contributed ten goals and four assists to the cause as the club formerly known as Steaua Bucharest finished second in Romania’s top flight last term.
But while Becali is desperate to hang onto Popescu, Scottish giants Rangers appear to face a somewhat more straightforward task luring another highly-rated Romanian away from Bucharest.
The Gers like 24-year-old playmaker Darius Olaru. And Becali has already admitted he’d be willing to sell for around £7 million.
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