According to Gazet van Antwerpen, Southampton has made an offer for Mandela Keita, while Leeds United is also interested in signing him.
The Belgian tabloid stated on their website on August 13 that the deal had been turned down, but Royal Antwerp is willing to allow the midfielder depart before the transfer deadline, and the Saints are “serious” in signing him.
The Whites are one of several clubs interested in the 22-year-old, including Blackburn, Norwich, and Nottingham Forest, as well as Manchester United at one point.
Daniel Farke is expected to sign a replacement for Glen Kamara following the Finn’s departure to Rennes [Leeds Live, 13 July].
Daniel Farke needs three Leeds United signings before the deadline.
After losing Kamara and Crysencio Summerville, the Whites’ manager is expected to seek three fresh signings before the window closes in order to contend for promotion again [The Athletic, August].
The German believes he needs replacements for the two first-team aces in central midfield and on the wing, as well as another full-back to join Jayden Bogle at Elland Road.
Keita appears to be available to fill the first of those positions, but if the Saints are pushing for him, Leeds will need to react similarly or risk missing out.
Joe Rothwell has already been loaned in, but Archie Gray’s big-money move to Tottenham has reduced the alternatives in the center.
The thrilling 3-3 draw with Portsmouth in the opener, which would have been a home defeat but for Brenden Aaronson’s late equaliser, demonstrated how the Whites cannot expect to cruise through the Championship this season.
However, with little more than a fortnight to strengthen, it looks that the main focus right now is on obtaining a new winger, with Jonathan Rowe lined up from Norwich.
A new bid for the teenager is set to be made [TEAMtalk, 12 August], while Ligue 1 rivals Marseille and Monaco are both now unable to go forward with their own attempts at a deal [Santi Aouna, 13 August], but there has been less activity on the midfield requirement.
Keita made 38 Antwerp appearances last season after joining on a permanent basis from Oud-Heverlee Leuven, including five in the Champions League qualifiers and group stage, but he may be out of reach soon if Farke does not respond to Southampton’s advance.
