Birmingham City are showing an interest in Virtus Entella defender Cheick Keita, according to claims in the Italian media. The report comes just days after Rafael Benitez’s Newcastle United were also linked with the player.
With Gianfranco Zola being installed as the new manager of Birmingham City last month it was only a matter of time before they would be linked with players in Italy.
TMW have today claimed Birmingham City are keen on Keita and could look to sign the youngster in this transfer window, already being in talks to do so. Zola will be hoping to bolster his squad in January and the 20-year-old full back is an option for the Championship side.
Similar was reported about Newcastle United and Keita, and the Italian media reported Benitez would have to part with €2m+ to get his man.
Keita came through the AS Monaco youth system before joining Virtus Entella last year. The young defender has already made fourth four league appearances for the Serie B side.
Zola replaced Gary Rowett at Birmingham City last month despite the Championship side being one point off the play-off positions. However, Birmingham City have lost touch with the play-off spots since Zola came in and could only manage a 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Newcastle United continue to be strong under Benitez and beat Brentford 2-1 thanks to goals from Dwight Gayle and Daryl Murphy.
