Despite being labeled as ‘guaranteed to leave’, we haven’t reported on Baldé Keita (or Keita Baldé) much over the past few months, mostly because the player hasn’t been linked with anyone.
Article after article has been published in the Italian press about the 21-year-old looking elsewhere and likely to leave either in January or at the end of the season, but few destinations stuck, with Monaco occasionally being thrown into the mix because why not.
A brief flurry of articles citing Everton interest appeared and disappeared very quickly, and now we have a new mention of a Premier League club, and it’s a big one: Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United.
Now, before you get all excited, there’s very little in it, as Il Tempo look at where the Senegalese winger could end up, and it’s only because Jorge Mendes has apparently been brought into the mix that the Manchester United link has emerged.
The Italian club are said to have established a good relationship with the Portuguese super agent, and, of course, this could open doors elsewhere.
Realistically, a move to Manchester United makes very little sense, mostly because the Premier League club are already swamped on the wings, struggling to get everyone to play regularly, and leaving Memphis Depay out altogether.
The Monaco option was also studied a while back, with a swap deal with Nabil Dirar mentioned, but considering how well the French club are doing right now, and with Lazio’s president Lotito wanting no less than €25m for his star forward, a move seems unlikely.
Even though the player has been labeled as wanting to leave, his professionalism this season has been impressive (which hasn’t been the case in the past), scoring five goals and picking up three assists in 16 league appearances.
Mendes may well recommend the player to Mourinho, but a transfer to Manchester United seems unlikely at the moment.
