HLN is reporting that Parma are looking to win the race to sign Mandela Keita from Antwerp. The Italian side will have to move quickly given that the Serie A transfer window closes at midnight tonight. Antwerp want around €13m for the midfielder and it looks as if Parma have agreed a deal, with bonuses, that will slightly exceed this valuation. Keita had been of interest to a number of other clubs, with Fiorentina and Leicester City also linked to the 22-year-old.
Keita was part of the Antwerp squad that won their first league title since the 1950s. The side did the double but were unable to defend their title last season. Keita had been on loan from OH Leuven twice, with Antwerp making the move permanent in order to then sell the player on for a profit this summer. It appears that has finally come to fruition. Keita leaves Antwerp having made 62 appearances for the Great Old, scoring once and grabbing four assists.
