Leeds join rivals Man Utd’s pursuit of star midfielder who wants to leave amid ‘jackpot’ position

Manchester United target Mandela Keita, 21, has reportedly been linked with a move to England from Leeds United.

For the Red Devils, improvement is needed after what is expected to be a very poor season. After United finished third in the Premier League last season, they would have expected similar this term.

But they are currently eighth, and if they stay there it will be their first finish outside the top six since 2013/14.

Some big names have been linked with the club, with new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe looking to be ambitious across the board.

But the development of Kobbie Mainoo may have shown the club that big names are not necessary, given that the midfielder is 19 and has been one of United’s best players in his first season of senior football.

It was recently reported that they want 25-year-old Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to pair up with Mainoo after a season leading the league and with Casemiro looking likely to leave, several young midfielders have been linked.

Links with OH Leuven youngster Keita (on loan at Royal Antwerp) have been strong and his parent club’s CEO has already hinted that they will struggle to keep hold of him.

His loan fee to Antwerp (around £2.5m) is the third highest fee the club have ever received for a transfer and it wasn’t even permanent. That suggests they would find it hard to turn down many offers for Keita.

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Leeds enter battle for Keita

And they could have many of them, with United joined by a number of big English sides in pursuit.

Most striking is interest from Manchester club rivals Leeds, revealed by Nieuwsblad.

The Whites could soon be Prem-bound again and will be looking to build a squad for the top flight – strong interest from other sides in Keita suggests he would do a good job at that level.

Alongside that pair, Nottingham Forest, West Ham, Norwich and Blackburn Rovers are said to be interested in the midfielder.

It is not clear how much Leuven would ask to allow him to leave.

Antwerp is looking for the “jackpot”

But if certain conditions – which have not been disclosed – are met, Antwerp will be able to make Keita’s loan permanent.

Previous reports have suggested they could try to sell him for a fee of around £17m.

The Nieuwsblad report states that Antwerp are looking to hit the ‘jackpot’ with Keita, although it is unclear if that means just signing him or doing so and flipping him immediately.

For English troops, it won’t matter who they buy the midfielder from, just that he is available.

However, he could be cheaper from his parent club than he would be if he went to Antwerp. In any case, Keita is said to “want to make the move.”

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