Keita Baldé Diao

[Spurrific]

They are looking the RB Leipzig Keita think its Naby Keita. I thought the same when I saw the thread and realised this is the Lazio one...

They've been tentatively linked with Keita Balde, too. Think it's mainly their wanky fans getting links out there, though by tweeting endlessly about it.

I think this is the one we're after, but we're waiting to see if an Italian team snaps him up. Can't see why else we wouldn't go straight for him unless he was assessing options.

 

[RichieS]

Marchisio doesn't start many games under Allegri. He uses him more as a squad player to fill in for those who are out. Cuadrado has been played as part of the midfield 3 as a wide outlet so I reckon Costa will take that spot. It'll give way for Huguain to be the point man flanked by Dybala and Bernadeschi. Mandzukic will mostly give way, which is a shame as he was my player the season last year for Juve, but I understand why. There'll be loads of games anyways so having those options will be good for Allegri. Players will have to compete.

Usually it's always been about a back 3 with Juve ever since Conte took over but with Bonucci gone I can see him going back to a flat back 4 as Allegri favoured that a lot this season. Normally happened as Chiellini or Barzagli would find themselves injured at some point. Also, Benatia may not be a starter as Barzagli is still generally preferred (he really is a physical specimen for his age), but as he's well into his mid thirties we could see Benatia or Rugani start more. Personally hope for the latter as he's a great prospect. The impact of losing Bonucci will be felt mostly by the fact that he was always a constant with Chiellini and Barzagli having injury spells and the fact that he's younger. Still very disappointed by that decision. I hope Allegri knows what he's doing as it was ultimately his decision when they burned bridges.

Could he be an option for us?

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

Could he be an option for us?

Doubt we would sign a 31 yr old on big wages tbh

 

[yido_number1]

They've been tentatively linked with Keita Balde, too. Think it's mainly their wanky fans getting links out there, though by tweeting endlessly about it.

I think this is the one we're after, but we're waiting to see if an Italian team snaps him up. Can't see why else we wouldn't go straight for him unless he was assessing options.

Guess it wouldn't stop liverpool but he is more Mane than coutinho... The stronger links are to Naby and I think that looks more likely that is rumoured at £75m I think RBL turned down €60m already.

 

[RichieS]

Doubt we would sign a 31 yr old on big wages tbh

I doubt he's on big wages - not much money in the Italian game.

I think he'd suit us rather well.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

I doubt he's on big wages - not much money in the Italian game.

I think he'd suit us rather well.

He's probably on bigger wages than Levy would want to pay for a 31 yr old with no sell on value.

 

[TH1239]

I've written a lot about Keita Balde here for the last 8 months. I'm going to post one last time on why he's by far the best player available on the transfer market for us.

To begin with, it's worth noting that Juventus have made a bid for the player, but it is far short of Lazio's valuation. I've seen lots of people questioning whether Keita's attitude should be a deterrent to signing him, and my response is this: if one of the best clubs in the world, Juventus, feels he's worth taking a chance on, then why shouldn't Spurs? Pochettino took a chance on Dani Osvaldo. He desperately wanted to take a chance on Saido Berahino and Wilfried Zaha. He took a chance on Moussa Sissoko. Keita is a 22 year old player, and with the right people around him, there's no reason why he couldn't improve himself. There were countless people here emphatically stating two summers ago that Poch would get the best out of Berahino. Why can't Poch get the best out of Keita, too?

As for Keita's skill set.... He has the pace of Mane and really great ball striking ability (he's also really adept at making runs in behind the defense). He scored 16 Serie A goals in less than 2000 minutes played, which is astoundingly good. His goal per 90 minute played ratio was .75, which is spectacular for a player his age in a league that is very defensive (this strike rate was better than Dybala's last season, by the way). Finally, he finished last season on fire and was arguably the most in-form attacking player in Italy in April/May. So, his trajectory, playing wise, is trending upward.

As far as the financials of the deal go: Lazio are willing to sell him and the fee they're looking for is around 25 million Euros with his contract running down (about what we paid for Son). Juventus only offered 15 million Euros and want him at a cut rate price, which Lazio will refuse to deal at. Keita isn't on big wages at Lazio, so we should be able to give him a big pay bump.

If we want a player with massive upside at age 22, with a contract running down and who also has devastating pace and goal scoring ability, then he's our guy. There just isn't anyone else on the market like him that we could realistically afford. Let's hope the powers that be at the club are aware of him and interested. He's the type of "clever" buy Poch routinely refers to.

 

[mark87]

I bought this guy on fifa 15 and he was pretty damn good so he gets a yes from me.

 

[Sweech]

In my FM save Spurs bought him and Domenico Berardi who both had a lot of success at the club.

When I eventually took over Spurs I immediately sold him to Real Madrid, but by then he way already in his 30s.

So if FM says it's true who am I to argue?

 

[scat1620]

In my FM save Spurs bought him and Domenico Berardi who both had a lot of success at the club.

When I eventually took over Spurs I immediately sold him to Real Madrid, but by then he way already in his 30s.

So if FM says it's true who am I to argue?

 

[DanielJohnCosta]

For what's worth, Lazio have brought in Felipe Caicedo (possible replacement) I know JJ has mentioned clubs bringing in before they sell to us so could be (massive fingers crossed) Also Balde Keita only played 20 odd minutes in their game against leverkusen overnight.

 

[JonnySpurs]

I really feel like this could be a bit of game changer if we could sign him. I appreciate that he's 22 and it would still be something of a gamble but it just feels like it would be a brilliant signing and he could give us something that we've been crying out for!

It's the hope that kills ya.

 

[Jonboy]

This is the boy I want. Come on Daniel. Make it happen

 

[yido_number1]

For what's worth, Lazio have brought in Felipe Caicedo (possible replacement) I know JJ has mentioned clubs bringing in before they sell to us so could be (massive fingers crossed) Also Balde Keita only played 20 odd minutes in their game against leverkusen overnight.

I don't remember JJ saying anything like that? Have you got a link to it?

 

[DanielJohnCosta]

I don't remember JJ saying anything like that? Have you got a link to it?

Believe he's mentioned on Twitter patience in moves as clubs 'ready' to sell - I semi translate that as replacing etc which does seem logical

 

[Hoddle&Waddle]

I think this guy ticks the boxes. Rumours that he turned us down earlier in the window but It cant hurt to try again.

 

[Ben1]

I think this guy ticks the boxes. Rumours that he turned us down earlier in the window but It cant hurt to try again.

This interested me particularly. Part of the waiting for the big boys to do business, could be that a player like this suddenly realises he isn't going to get the big big move he thought he would in May. He sounds like he wants Juve and they've made one seemingly derisory bid and have signed Costa/bernedeschi.

 

[shelfboy68]

I think this guy ticks the boxes. Rumours that he turned us down earlier in the window but It cant hurt to try again.

Why did he turn us down

 

[Ossie85]

mm, I'm not convinced.
He looks like the typical african forward. Strong and fast, but never really in control of the ball.
I prefer the kid from Caen, even if he's much more raw at the moment.

The attitude problems and losing him every 2 years for the african cup deducts points for me too

 

[panoma]

mm, I'm not convinced.
He looks like the typical african forward. Strong and fast, but never really in control of the ball.
I prefer the kid from Caen, even if he's much more raw at the moment.

The attitude problems and losing him every 2 years for the african cup deducts points for me too

Both Karamoh and Balde Diao are much higher rated than the players we typically take punts on like Clinton and GNK. Can only assume it's due to wages and transfer fees we end up with the "inferior" prospects, but would be very pleased if we managed to land either (or both) Balde Diao and Karamoh.