Keita Baldé Diao

[Ben1]

He's in the last year of his contract so you'd expect them to drumming up interest in a similar way to Koeman is for Barkley. I think the player we will be after probably has a longer contract but we are (Highly optimistic) making them an offer they can't refuse.

Other clubs seemingly know the Balde situation and yet it's only Juve that seem to be making noise.

JJ hasn't ever mentioned "Northern" italy specifically by the way. I think Breezer mentioned Juve but can't recall who said Northern. It's all opinion and not facts but this doesn't stack up to me. He looks a good player and a better option of what we wanted Sissoko to be. Would be happy if this was the one.

I still think we will get a surprise from the Italian links, I'm hoping it might be Schick still.

I'm the opposite, struggling to see how it doesn't add up.

 

[Guntz]

This guy has the potential to be better than Mane, he's more technically gifted,

 

[spursfast]

This guy has the potential to be better than Mane, he's more technically gifted,

why talk about a player that we wouldn't sign in a month of Sundays

 

[JayB]

Usually I would agree with you but with the various ITK about interest in a player based in northern Italy and the fact Gards has been active in this thread - I think the interest might actually be real

Gards has been disliking guesses at the mystery Italian player so if he has been liking posts relating to Keita it might well be a hint.

We've had ITK that our targets remain unchanged, so for me that means we must be in for a player from the Zaha/Lemar "list". Poch has been after that kind of player since he arrived at Spurs so it'd be odd if we had dropped the search entirely, and Keita certainly fits the bill.

 

[Ossie85]

Gards has been disliking guesses at the mystery Italian player so if he has been liking posts relating to Keita it might well be a hint.

We've had ITK that our targets remain unchanged, so for me that means we must be in for a player from the Zaha/Lemar "list". Poch has been after that kind of player since he arrived at Spurs so it'd be odd if we had dropped the search entirely, and Keita certainly fits the bill.

Maybe Zaha, but Lemar is a completely different kind of player

 

[Ben1]

Maybe Zaha, but Lemar is a completely different kind of player

Didn't stop us with batshuayi/Janssen...or getting sissoko when he wanted a mane/zaha.

 

[Syn_13]

This guy has the potential to be better than Mane, he's more technically gifted,

Mane is over-rated. Take away his pace and he's not all that. Having watched plenty of Keita last season I can say I prefer him already. He's a smarter, more physical player and doesn't trip over his own feet.

 

[mill]

would love this. playing fantasy land, get this kid in, barkley, and a rb (cancelo/pereira) and we'd be set. Throw in a few prospects and it would be a fabulous window.

That's as good as it can get for us this window all things considered imo

 

[matty74]

Mane is over-rated. Take away his pace and he's not all that. Having watched plenty of Keita last season I can say I prefer him already. He's a smarter, more physical player and doesn't trip over his own feet.

I wouldn't say mane was overrated, did you not see what he did to our defence last season it's no coincidence that Liverpool's form dipped massively when he was at the African cup of nations.

 

[RJ1882]

I'll donate £10 for every player @Archibald&Crooks can correctly predict we'll sign in this transfer window. Maximum of 3 predictions allowed.
Predictions must made by midnight Saturday 22 July.

I've got no idea, literally. Having taken a look at the players threads i'll go for

Barkley
Keita Balde
Josh King

Your money is safe!

Perhaps a clue from A&C few weeks back on Balde

 

[Syn_13]

I wouldn't say mane was overrated, did you not see what he did to our defence last season it's no coincidence that Liverpool's form dipped massively when he was at the African cup of nations.

He is a good player, but sometimes people bang on about him too much. Take away his pace and he's not got a lot to frighten you with. He dicked us last season because we set up badly. Klopp knew what he was doing by getting a pace merchant to torment Dier and Davies down that side.

I like Keita. He doesn't need to use pace to get around players and can spot a good pass when it's on. I reckon he'd suit us well.

 

[BlondelBombshell]

Perhaps a clue from A&C few weeks back on Balde

Also fits into what Gards said a few days ago maybe?

He said 1 very close: could be Barkley?
He said 1 under radar being worked on and will improve the side attacking wise and plays for a good side in Europe: could be Keita?
He said back up option from the prem of the attacking option doesn't come off: could be Josh King?

 

[Qwerdaa]

That's the thing, I can't think of anyone else in Italy who fits the bill of what we need along with itk

King would be a decent signing, but this would be a game changer

 

[arunspurs]

He's 22, not 17
He has a bad attitude and is unprofessional , that's unquestionable. He had problems in the 2 clubs he's played for
Now if Poch likes him anyway and thinks he can teach him how to behave is another thing. But his age has nothing to do with it. It's not common to feign an injury to get transferred, regardless of the age

I don't have first hand knowledge on his behaviour. But would say it is pretty common players feigning injury when a transfer is being discussed. This happened even to us in case of Bale with him getting 'injured' in HongKong preseason tour. Its not pretty, but this is not new to our club.

If we buy Keita & he does very well for 2 seasons & 3rd season is hell bent on leaving - I would probably let him leave then & take the money on table. Rather have that than repeated failures or average performances, we have had in AM/Wing positions in Njie, Nkoudou, Sissoko etc...

 

[Ossie85]

I don't have first hand knowledge on his behaviour. But would say it is pretty common players feigning injury when a transfer is being discussed. This happened even to us in case of Bale with him getting 'injured' in HongKong preseason tour. Its not pretty, but this is not new to our club.

If we buy Keita & he does very well for 2 seasons & 3rd season is hell bent on leaving - I would probably let him leave then & take the money on table. Rather have that than repeated failures or average performances, we have had in AM/Wing positions in Njie, Nkoudou, Sissoko etc...

I think there's a difference. With Bale it was more of an agreement between him and the club. In this case Lazio's physios came out and said he was not injured

 

[BlondelBombshell]

Tedious link with Keita, but worth mentioning African Cup of Nations will no longer take place in January during PL campaign, from 2019 it will take place during July. (Keita plays for Senegal).

Struck a chord in my head as I remember back in January window someone saying there was no way Levy would pay £35m for Zaha, especially for a player who would miss a month for Spurs to play in that competition.

As many ITKs have said our no.1 targets remain in our sights and achievable, maybe our interest in Keita has been all along and has now stepped up a notch because of Africa Cup of Nations date change?

Straws + clutching =

 

[fortworthspur]

he looks a real talent - and strong, too. 16 goals in Serie A and the price is great value. just do it.

 

[jonnie83]

I wonder if Liverpool could be interested if they sell Coutinho?

 

[arunspurs]

If Keita is the Italian player we are interested in, I hope we also try to get De Vrij , Lazio CB, in a double deal. Like Keita he is also on last year of contract, aged 25 & he is one of the best defenders in Serie A. Could be a Wimmer replacement & technically top class CB

But then,Keita will do for time being. I don't want to be greedy .

 

[Univarn]

I wonder if Liverpool could be interested if they sell Coutinho?

He would fit more as depth for Mane/Salah/lallana for them than a Coutinho. The club i would be more worried about is Chelsea. They need winger depth for Hazard and Pedro and would love another gazumping. Plus they have a long track record of overbuying attackers they never use.