Leeds United are chasing Mandela Keita, who has been on loan at Royal Antwerp from OH Leuven since January.
That’s according to Het Nieuwsblad, who mention Leeds’ interest in the 21-year-old when explaining where he could play next season.
Royal Antwerp have a €10m purchase option, which they don’t intend to exercise. There’s also currently no negotiations between the two Belgian clubs for Keita.
The midfielder is set to return to his parent club, who will have to make a decision on his future in the summer.
Leuven could try to persuade him to represent them but it won’t be easy since it’s ‘evident the player is aiming higher’ next season. With Leeds in the picture, a move to Elland Road may help him achieve it.
It won’t be easy for Leuven to cash in from his sale either. Despite interest from Leeds and others, if Leuven don’t receive €10m for him, ‘then it will be difficult for everyone to digest’.
Leuven absolutely wanted to include the €10m buying option in the deal when they loaned the Belgium U21 international in the winter market. That option now seems to be against them.
Due to their own valuation and Leeds’ interest, Leuven are in a ‘difficult position’ with the Belgian. The situation is also not made easy by the player, who isn’t keen to return to his parent club.
Last month, Het Nieuwsblad stated Leeds are ‘closely following’ the midfielder and have made contact, likely to know the conditions to carry out the deal.
On May 3rd, the same outlet explained Leeds are set for a battle with Norwich City and Blackburn Rovers to sign the player. It was also said these clubs would have to negotiate a deal with Leuven since the €10m buying option is deemed too high for Antwerp.
