Becali says Benfica “has no money” to buy a Romanian pledge

Steaua president Gigi Becali has taken advantage of the news in the press, about Benfica’s alleged interest in Octavian Popescu, in order to “placing a price” on the player. The media in that country ensured that the Reds had even noticed the 19-year-old from Steaua Bucharest and former Cluj player Nuno Claro spoke of the qualities of the footballer, whom he considers “the most talented to play in Romania”.

“If he stays for another year or two, he will be a missing talent. He reminds me of Cristiano Ronaldo at the beginning of his career. Physically, everything. He has to work on it now. He is a player with a great future ahead. He has to go to another tournament where he can also develop his fitness. I’ve never seen a player like him in Romania.” Digi Sport.

However, the alleged interest in Benfica and the words of Nuno Claro reached the ears of Steaua president, Gigi Becali, who ruled out the possibility of Popescu heading to Luz.

There is no official proposal at this point. I think Benfica doesn’t have the money to buy it. I think he also has something from Neymar and even Messi, he’s a genius. She sold Dennis Man for 11 million. I wanted 13 million for the Chiriches and ended up selling them for 7. I would never be able to sell the Octavian at its true value. I think it’s worth between 100 and 150 million. But sell it for half the price at fifty million euros.”

Octavian Popescu is a left winger who has won twice with the Romanian national team. In the current season, he played 33 matches, during which he scored eight goals, and also scored three assists.