Het Nieuwsblad are reporting that both Manchester United and Villarreal have joined West Ham and Rennes in scouting Antwerp’s central midfielder Mandela Keita. The 21-year-old was also the subject of interest from Blackburn last summer, but remained in Belgium.
Keita spent the second half of last season on loan at Antwerp from OH Leuven, helping the side win their first top flight title since 1957. So far this season he has made 20 appearances for the side, providing one assist. Keita has also been capped by the senior Belgian side recently.
Antwerp have already sold one highly rated midfielder this season, with young Arthur Vermeeren joining La Liga side Atletico Madrid. Transfermarkt currently valuates Keita at around €11m. Antwerp have an obligation to buy Keita at the end of the season as part of his second loan spell. Therefore, it is likely they will ask for an amount in excess of what they must pay Keita’s parent club in the summer.
GBeNeFNÂ |Â Ben Jackson
