Newcastle United are clearly looking to strengthen their midfield department this summer and for good reason. Sandro Tonali has already left the club to join Tottenham Hotspur in a deal that could reach £100 million if add-ons are met. There is uncertainty around the future of Bruno Guimaraes as well.
Of course, there are more areas that need strengthening, but midfield could be the most urgent one. That will ring especially true if Guimaraes does leave as well.
To be fair, Newcastle United have signed Sean Steur from Ajax already. But it is hard to imagine that an 18-year-old with 25 senior appearances will come in and get a starting role at St James’ Park straight off the bat.
Fortunately, it looks like the club are open to bringing in more experienced players as well. A Belgian international is now on their radar.
Newcastle United want to sign Belgian international midfieldcr
According to a report from Football Insider, Newcastle United have joined the race to sign Belgian international midfielder Mandela Keita this summer as negotiations reportedly begin with Parma.
Reports in Italy have claimed that Newcastle United have begun talks over a move. Parma are believed to want around £21 million to part ways with Keita this summer.
Of course, other Premier League clubs like Everton, Leeds United and Aston Villa have also been linked with Keita lately as well. And after Newcastle United’s recent record of seeing other clubs swoop in and sign players from under their noses, that will not be a confidence-inducing update.
So, if the Magpies want to bring him to St James’ Park this summer, it might be a good idea to move quickly before other clubs get a chance to sign the Belgian international.
Who is Mandela Keita?
Keita began his career at OH Leuven, having come through their youth ranks. He would soon earn himself a move to Antwerp. And when he did leave Belgium, he would move to Italy to join Parma.
While Keita has earned himself a decent bit of experience at club level, he has also made a solitary appearance for Belgium at international level as well.
Of course, it is worth mentioning that Newcastle United’s name has been linked to Parma already before this. That is because they are believed to be one of the frontrunners to sign their goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.
Newcastle United need to bring in a starter this summer while 34-year-old Nick Pope is expected to depart with merely a year left on his deal. And it looks like Suzuki is viewed as someone who can be the solution after an excellent time at Parma and with the Japan national team at the World Cup.
