Het Nieuwsblad are reporting that West Ham are showing serious interest in Antwerp’s Mandela Keita. The 21-year-old, who was signed permanently from OH Leuven in the summer, was recently given his first senior Belgian cap by Domenico Tedesco. Antwerp paid just under €8m for the central midfielder, and HNB are suggesting that West Ham are willing to pay Antwerp the required fee, which is believed to be almost double that amount.
Keita spent last season on loan with Antwerp from OHL, helping to plug the gaps in midfield that had been left by a number of injuries. He impressed as the side won their first Belgian top flight title since 1957. He made 19 appearances in the latter half of the season, scoring one goal. Over the summer, the likes of Leeds United, Blackburn and Norwich were all said to be interested in signing him. However, he returned to Antwerp and has made 20 appearances in all competitions this season.
GBeNeFNÂ |Â Ben Jackson
