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moore_94

Mandela Keita - signed for Parma

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https://www.footballfancast.com/leicester-city-keen-on-mandela-keita-as-the-next-youri-tielemans/

 

Leicester keen on “exceptional” £8m-rated gem who'd be Tielemans 2.0

It must feel an awful long time ago for Leicester City fans when they now consider their side's unbelievable past exploits, with the East Midlands underdogs lifting the FA Cup and Premier League aloft in quick succession in what proved to be a golden period to be a Foxes fan.
 

Now, supporters packed into the King Power Stadium this campaign to come will just hope they can stay afloat in the top flight, away from their previous grand achievements, with Steve Cooper now at the helm tasked with ensuring relegation doesn't happen.
 

Leicester could look to turn back the clock to their unbelievable day out to Wembley in the FA Cup final, however, with this potential signing in through the door, who might well end up being the newly promoted club's next Youri Tielemans in the making.

 

According to a report by Belgian outlet Het Laatste Nieuws, as relayed by Sport Witness, Leicester hold 'concrete interest' in Royal Antwerp gem Mandela Keita this summer, as the midfield ranks look to be bolstered by Cooper.

 

Both Rennes and Fiorentina are also noted as being further interested parties going after the 22-year-old star, who even has a senior cap for the Belgium national team next to his name now, after an impressive individual campaign for his current employers.
 

It could take a bid of around £8m - as per his current estimated market value, according to Football Transfers - for a move to take place though, with Leicester having to splash the cash to land their desired target.

Why Keita can be Tielemans 2.0

Tielemans was once also a promising talent plying his trade in the Jupiler Pro League before Leicester swooped in, resulting in the now Aston Villa man becoming a key first-team performer for the Foxes, with his long-range strike against Chelsea back in 2021 enabling Leicester to upset the odds and lift the FA Cup.

Keita isn't quite as forceful when it comes to helping out in attack, but he could go on to become an established member of Cooper's first team all the same in England, much like the former Anderlecht man managed under previous managers at the King Power.

Keita's tenacity and energy from the middle of the park has been an effective calling card for Antwerp to utilise, however, with the goal above all the in-demand Belgian's own work, before allowing his fortunate teammate to simply tap home.

The 22-year-old would only pick up two goal contributions all of last season away from this clip, but his battling nature will be of use to Leicester all the same, and Keita could even end up striking up an effective midfield duo with Wilfried Ndidi if a deal is clinched.

Keita's league numbers for Antwerp (23/24)

Stat - per 90 mins*

Keita

Games played

29

Goals scored

0

Assists

2

Touches*

64.4

Big chances created

2

Accurate passes*

44.2 (90%)

Tackles*

2.5

Interceptions*

1.6

Total duels won*

5.9

Stats by Sofascore

 

Whilst Ndidi would look to get on the scoresheet, Keita would be more than content with being a disruptive presence in a more holding role, as can be seen glancing at the table above, with an unbelievable 5.9 total duels won on average last season playing in his native country.

But, his assuredness on the ball - away from trying to break up play - could also see him perform much like Tielemans operated when still pulling on a Foxes strip, with the Villa midfielder bowing out from the King Power with an 82% pass accuracy per Premier League contest during the 2022-23 season.

Labelled as being an "exceptional" talent by U23 football scout Antonio Mango after he won his first cap for his nation, Keita looks to be nearing a major move soon, and could really progress his game like Tielemans managed if purchased by Leicester.

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3 minutes ago, ChrisCG8 said:

Doesnt look like a second Tielemans at all, way more of a number 6 

That and he isn't a fat little pudding. 

I'm not bitter, I promise... 

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1 minute ago, FoxinNotts said:

Rennes have now got Glen Kamara, Fiorentina now have Amir Richardson...... I wonder if we might now get this guy?

Of the 3 Keita is the one I would prefer as well :fc:

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“There are rumors that Mandela Keita is close to joining Leicester in a €13 million transfer with €2 million bonuses.”

 

This random bloke said a week ago we had agreed a deal, so i’m going with that we’re getting Soumaré out so we can sign this guy. 

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23 minutes ago, Safestandingfox said:

Was he not Leuvens player a few months ago? 

Yeah but he was on loan last season to Antwerp with an obligation to buy so he hasn’t really been their player since Summer 2023

 

Yet still at that point he would’ve been a great signing for us

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5 minutes ago, moore_94 said:

Yeah but he was on loan last season to Antwerp with an obligation to buy so he hasn’t really been their player since Summer 2023

 

Yet still at that point he would’ve been a great signing for us

Never understood why OHL weren't ran like us pre FA cup win. Money on up and coming players and selling for big each year. 

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5 minutes ago, UniFox21 said:

Never understood why OHL weren't ran like us pre FA cup win. Money on up and coming players and selling for big each year. 

The only player I know they have kind of managed that with was Thomas Henry - signed at 24 for €500k and then sold for €5.5m after 3 seasons
 

Recently they actually seem to be doing quite well with bringing through academy players and then selling them on for good fees, last summer and this summer:


€3.5m for Louis Patris

€8m for Mandela Keita

€2m for Richie Sagrado

 

They have got a few more players now that they have signed young or brought through the academy that they would likely get decent fees for if they sold them like Tobe Leysen, Ewoud Pletinckx, and Joël Schingtienne

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