‘Ignore Arsenal’: International boss tells the ‘new Mbappe’ to snub Edu and Arteta

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Arsenal have been heavily linked with a move for FCSB attacker Ianis Stoica, but the Romanian’s international under-21 boss has urged him to snub a move to the Emirates in January.

PlaySport first revealed last month that the Gunners are interested in the young attacker and the same outlet reported a few days later that an £8.5 million bid was being readied ahead of the January transfer window.

Arsenal’s transfer philosophy these days focuses on talented young players. Stoica, dubbed as the ‘new Kylian Mbappe’, definitely checks that box, but should the Romanian teenager leave his home country for the Gunners in January?

His international under-21 boss, Florin Bratu, has urged him to snub Mikel Arteta and Edu.

Manager tells ‘new Mbappe’ Ianis Stoica to ignore Arsenal

Bratu told Romanian outlet GSP: “He has speed and feels hungry. For a striker, in the job description, that’s it. This interest in Arsenal can also be misleading. He has to be careful because only his evolutions matter there.

“He has to ignore Arsenal. We have to be honest, it is very difficult at the moment for a Romanian player to play at Arsenal. It’s an important thing that is wanted there, that certifies its value.

“As I know Ianis Stoica, he is an extremely balanced guy. If he only takes the essence, ‘Arsenal is looking for me, I have something, let’s work harder, catch the FCSB team and play matches in a starting line-up,’ then we can get a very good striker for Romania.”

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Arsenal have had real success when it comes to signing young players over the last three years. Matteo Guendouzi burst onto the scene in 2018 and he was followed by Gabriel Martinelli in the following year.

Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi Lokonga are proving to be excellent additions as well, which shows that Edu’s scouts have a fantastic eye for young talent playing outside Europe’s top-five leagues.

Stoica could become a fantastic player in the coming years, but his international boss’ concerns are valid as well. A move from Romania to a club as big as Arsenal could be too soon for him at this moment in his career.

It will be interesting to see if Arsenal will make a move for the young Romanian next month. The Gunners definitely have other priorities, but it’s not beyond Edu and Arteta to splash some cash to bring Stoica in.