Source: Daily_Mail
Espanyol warn Man City over swoop for 16-year-old Spanish starlet Roman
Manchester City have been warned they must abide by FIFA rules in their pursuit of 16-year-old Spain youth player Joan Angel Roman.
City are said to be in talks with them Espanyol midfielder, which has irked the La Liga club into releasing a statement on their website.
'RCD Espanyol are still waiting to receive a satisfactory offer from Manchester City for the transfer of the 16-year-old cadet Joan Angel Roman,' the statement read.
'The English team have shown interest in the midfielder, but they mustfollow FIFA regulations, which stipulate that clubs must reach anagreement in order for a transfer to be completed.
'It should be remembered that in England a player cannot be professional until 17 years of age, so the only route is for the clubs to reach an agreement.'
Meanwhile, Shunsuke Nakamura is on the verge of signing a two-year contract at Espanyol after turning down a one-year extension at Celtic and the chance to return to Yokohama Marinos.
The club are also interested in Chelsea strikers Ben Sahar and Franco di Santo, as well as Giovani dos Santos, who has struggled since joining Tottenham Hotspur from Barcelona last summer.
The agent of Espanyol's veteran midfielder Ivan de la Pena says Blackburn Rovers are among several clubs interested in signing the 33-year-old former Barcelona player. Spartak Moscow, plus an unnamed team from each of Greece and the United Arab Emirates are also said to be interested in him.
