Leeds United are reportedly in talks regarding an Everton-linked midfielder
Leeds United are reportedly in negotiations with Parma over a potential deal for midfielder Mandela Keita.
A spell with Royal Antwerp followed his Leuven exit before he sealed a move to Italy with Parma. He has spent the last two years in Serie A, amassing a total of 70 appearances across all competitions for I Crociati.
Leeds have been strongly linked with his club teammate - Japanese goalkeeper Zion Suzuki - but the stopper does not appear to be the only Parma player on the radar of the Whites.
Parma midfielder Mandela Keita has been linked with Leeds United.placeholder image
Parma midfielder Mandela Keita has been linked with Leeds United. | Marco Luzzani/Getty Images
Leeds United ‘negotiations’ claim emerges
According to Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport, Parma have entered negotiations with Leeds over a potential switch for Keita.
It has been suggested he has a valuation of around €30m (£25.68m) and that a number of Premier League clubs are on his trail.
TEAMtalk recently credited Everton with interest in Keita, who won his first and only Belgium cap to date in 2023.
If a deal for Charles proves to be beyond Leeds’ reach, they may have to seek alternatives. Keita is a relatively unknown quantity in England but has shown plenty of potential in Italy and in his native Belgium.
Shea Charles was a key figure for Southampton in the Championship last season - and is thought to be of interest to Leeds United.placeholder image
Shea Charles was a key figure for Southampton in the Championship last season - and is thought to be of interest to Leeds United. | Michael Regan/Getty Images
Leeds United’s midfield
He would be joining a central midfield department that is relatively well-stocked, with a number of options currently available to Leeds manager Daniel Farke.
Influential captain Ethan Ampadu has penned a new contract in West Yorkshire and Farke also has Anton Stach, Ao Tanaka, Ilia Gruev and Sean Longstaff at his disposal.
If Charles or Keita are lured to West Yorkshire, there could well be doubts over the futures of some of Leeds’ lesser-used option.s