Arsenal submit £6.4m transfer bid for wonderkid Ianis Stoica

Arsenal are a club willing to cast their net all across the world in search of the best young talents in football and their search has got a catch over in Romania.

Some of the better players to have turned out for the club have been plucked from relative obscurity, and while the modern world means few players can evade the spotlight these days, there is still some intrigue surrounding Ianis Stoica.

With the forward areas at Arsenal some of the more interesting heading into upcoming windows, plenty of talk has centred around the search for a new long-term centre-forward. Additionally, rumours of interest in wingers like Noa Lang and Dejan Kulusevski hint that it’s the entire forward line under review.

Stoica is someone the Gunners have been linked with over recent weeks having enjoyed a fine season with FCSB in his native Romania. He has six goals and two assists for the side, working out at a goal contribution every 73 minutes, prompting talk of a move this winter.

FCSB owner claims that Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have submitted a £6.4m transfer offer for Romanian wonderkid Ianis Stoica

Reports have claimed Arsenal scouts have been watching the wonderkid dubbed ‘the new Kylian Mbappe’ (…), although FCSB’s owner has gone one better and claimed that Mikel Arteta’s side have lodged a bid for him.

"“I currently have €7.5m (offer) for Ianis Stoica,” Gigi Becali told as.ro.When asked if the offer was from Arsenal, he confirmed so, adding “and I want €10m plus 20% (from a future transfer).”"

Remember when Sassuolo’s president claimed Arsenal have bid for Manuel Locatelli? Of course you do, so naturally there are some reservations about this.

If he is to be believed then Arsenal aren’t far off matching the demands of the club with them just €2.5m, which could be negotiable, although the 20% sell on clause might not be.

Other clubs have shown an interest with a €1.5m offer from Bologna said to have been rejected while Galatasaray have been circling around as well.

As for the deal, it fits into the model Arsenal have implemented of late both in the academy and with the senior team, and it wouldn’t be the first time they’ve moved for a Romanian youngster: Catalin Cirjan joined the Arsenal academy as a 17-year-old. Furthermore, the two played together so there could well have been some dialogue there.

It’s an interesting story that is developing for a player who is doing likewise; Stoica recently made his Romania Under-21 debut and scored against Georgia on his debut.

One to keep an eye on.