Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde praised Roma starlet Cengiz Under in his post-match press conference on Wednesday.
Speaking after his side beat Roma 4-1 at the Camp Nou, Valverde admitted he was surprised the Turkey international did not play.
Valverde said: “Cengiz Under is a very young player doing amazing stuff. He has been great this season, scoring goals.
“We did expect to see him so that was a bit of a surprise but I congratulate him on how well he has done.”
See More: Was Cengiz Under Right To Pick Roma Over Man City?
Under would likely have featured against Barcelona but he was ruled out with injury.
The fact that Valverde spoke so highly of the Turkey international could cause Roma and Arsenal – who have been closely linked with the winger – concern.
The Mirror reported that the Gunners are interested in Under but that Roma have warned them off making a move.
Giallorossi sporting director Monchi meanwhile bizarrely revealed that Barcelona joined the race for the rising star.
You expect these kind of comments from an agent trying to find his client a new club but not from a sporting director but perhaps Monchi has a plan up his sleeve. He is known as the wizard after all.
“Bayram Tutumlu (a Turkish agent) who has a good relationship with Barcelona, told me that they have asked for the boy,” Monchi told Turkish radio station Radyospor.
“We do not have any big offers, but many teams will follow him, because he’s young and scoring goals.”
Roma president James Pallotta ruled out Under leaving this summer.
“There’s a frustration on my part that people go ‘Oh, Roma’s a supermarket,'” Pallotta told Sirius XM radio. “We’re not trying to just sell players. We’ve tied Under down on a five-year contract, and the situation’s similar with Alisson.
“I was a fan of his right from day one and I’m glad he’s finally showing how good he is, because he’s been incredible.”
Despite Roma warning off potential suitors it is starting to look like there will be offers made for Under if he continues playing at the level he has been for the rest of the season.
Under replaced Mohamed Salah who joined Liverpool last summer.
After a slow start, the 20-year-old hit red hot form scoring six goals and providing one assist since February.
The youngster has already earned himself the nickname, ‘Nuovo Salah’, which basically translates to the new Salah.
