Il Tempo are adamant Manchester United hold an interest in signing Lazio’s Keita Baldé, and they appear to be the only ones pushing the information.
It all started back in January, when José Mourinho’s side were thrown into the mix for the winter transfer window, which we linked to the Italian club deciding to bring Jorge Mendes on board to try and help get a transfer done.
Valencia, where Mendes appears to have some power, and Monaco (ditto) were also mentioned, but no transfer, or offer for that matter, ever materialised.
With a contract running out in 2018 and 22 year old Keita refusing to sign an extension, an exit this summer seems to be very likely.
As for the price, well that appears to be slowly decreasing.
January’s article saw Il Tempo claiming Claudio Lotitio, Lazio’s chairman, wouldn’t accept anything below €25m, yet a few days later, the same newspaper explained that while the starting fee remained the same, a smaller offer could be accepted if too many clubs turned their nose up at the asking price.
Fast forward to Wednesday, and Il Tempo are now reporting the fee has dropped to €20m.
They don’t address it per se, but they explain the player wouldn’t leave for less than that fee.
Keita Baldé has been in fine form this season under Simone Inzaghi, scoring eight goals and picking up four assists in 23 appearances.
