Agent Oliver Arthur revealed Milan wanted Felix Afena-Gyan too, but stressed Roma ‘showed great interest’ in the youngster. ‘They immediately understood the value of the boy’.
The 18-year-old striker was introduced with 15 minutes remaining against Genoa and scored twice to help Roma secure a 2-0 win at Marassi.
He made his debut one month ago and has impressed coach Jose Mourinho enough to get a chance to play in the first team at the Olimpico.
“It goes beyond what we could have imagined, I’m very happy and proud,” Arthur told TMW. “But this exploit came really quickly, he skipped a few steps.
“He’s a lad who is committed, who always gives his best. I think he can reach the highest level. I don’t want to exaggerate, but I think he can reach the top, carve out a place among the professionals.
“He has a lot of speed and power in his legs. This is his main strength, I think. Besides, he’s a very disciplined boy. He does what his coach asks of him, he applies himself and he doesn’t question it.
“He must not get carried away by what happened, he must continue to work to pursue other targets.”
The agent was asked about his move to Roma from EurAfrica FC and revealed Milan were interested in the youngster too.
“It was not a foregone conclusion, usually the Italian clubs don’t use the non-EU slots for such young players,” he said.
“Roma, especially Morgan De Sanctis and Simone Lo Schiavo, immediately showed great interest. I want to compliment them for how professional they were, they immediately understood the value of the boy.
“Milan, for example, were interested. But, as I said before, in Italy it’s rare for a club to use their non-EU slots for such young players.”
Felix has created a special bond with coach Jose Mourinho, who bought the teenager new shoes after the brace against Genoa.
“It’s due to everything the boy has shown to the coach,” Arthur added. “Felix is a humble footballer; he was emotional the first time Mou called him.
“He told him that he was impressed, that he was a promising lad, that he had to continue like this. This motivates him a lot.”