Leeds United, Norwich City and Blackburn Rovers are all chasing Royal Antwerp’s Mandela Keita ahead of the summer, according to Het Nieuwsblad.
In the winter market, the Jupiler Pro League side took the 20-year-old from OH Leuven on a loan deal with an option to buy.
The defensive midfielder has not only been a regular for Royal Antwerp but has also starred for them, which has drawn interest from Leeds, Norwich and Blackburn Rovers.
It’s claimed the Whites have ‘already signed up’ to try and secure his services and will have to battle it out with the two Championship clubs in the next window. That’s all the report has to say about the English sides’ interest in the player.
Royal Antwerp reportedly can make the Belgium U21 international’s loan deal permanent for €10m. Their CEO, Sven Jaecques, has told Sporza’s Extra Time that Keita will return to his parent club after this season.
“Whether the option is €10m? I can’t say anything about that, but it is in any case too high. I understand Leuven, because it is strange in itself that they came to us to loan him out,” he said, as quoted by Het Nieuwsblad.
“This is simply unfeasible, we won’t do that. Mandela will play at Leuven again next season. Mandela and the club should also focus on that.”
This means Leeds, Norwich or Blackburn Rovers would have to negotiate with Leuven, if they are keen to secure Keita’s services.
Last month, Het Nieuwsblad reported Leeds have initiated contact to sign Keita in the next window.