Parma midfielder, Mandela Keita, is attracting interest from Aston Villa. The 23-year-old has done well this season, causing the Villans to keep tabs on him, as well as several other clubs.
As reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport via TuttoBolognaWeb, Bologna seems to be the front runners at the moment. The Italian side was close to signing Keita a couple of years ago, but Parma beat them to it. They see him as a replacement for ex-Nottingham Forest player Remo Freuler.
Tottenham and Brighton are also interested, with the list expected to grow in the next couple of months.
Who is Mandela Keita?
A product of OH Leuven’s academy, Keita made his professional debut in March 2021 as a substitute against Mechelen. After searching for regular game time, the Belgian joined Royal Antwerp on loan in January 2023.
He played a pivotal role in Antwerp’s historic domestic double, winning the Belgian Pro League for the first time in 66 years and lifting the Belgian Cup. The central midfielder then signed permanently with Antwerp for €5 million.
Following a successful 2023/24 season at the Bosuilstadion, Keita earned a move to Parma for €12 million. Since then, he has been ever-present in the Italian side’s midfield, starting 28 out of 29 matches this season.
Where would he fit in?
Although Keita has flourished in the last 24 months, Villa’s quality midfield would make it difficult for him to break into a starting role, should he be signed. For Unai Emery, he represents the ideal profile to complement or provide competition to Amadou Onana, Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans.
Ross Barkley’s future is unclear currently, and his contract situation, where he will have one year left in the summer, could mean he is moved on.
The Belgian youth international coming in as a replacement for the Englishman would be the most probable scenario. A younger player who would be on lower wages is financially viable for Villa, given their need to reduce their wage bill.
Working with a world-class manager in Emery, who has a track record of exploiting players’ potential, and the talent in the Villans’ squad, would enable Keita to improve and develop drastically.
This move by Villa perhaps shows a change in focus. Whilst previously targeting more experienced players for the here and now rather than the future, the desire to develop younger players for the evolution of the squad is growing.
