Ambitious Premier League outfit Wolverhampton Wanderers have been linked with Inter Milan’s Serie A flop Keita Balde Diao
Keita Balde Diao would have been hoping to take the step to the next level when forcing his way out of Lazio in the summer of 2017. Almost a year-and-a-half on, however, the jet-heeled winger’s decision to jump ship from the Stadio Olimpico has backfired.
He struggled during a disappointing spell in France with Monaco, starting just 19 Ligue 1 games, and has found himself out of favour since returning to Serie A with Inter Milan.
Now, Tuttomercatoweb are claiming that Inter are hoping to get Keita off the books in January – and Wolverhampton Wanderers are apparently prepared to overlook his struggles at the San Siro.
Now, if the 23-year-old Senegal international can recapture the form that saw him score 16 times in 21 starts for Lazio in 2016/17, he would be a hugely exciting signing for a Wolves side who have impressed since returning to the Premier League, particularly as it would cost a bargain €5 million to take the forward on loan.
But, even then, he might not solve the biggest problem facing Wolves – the lack of a prolific centre-forward.
Yes, Keita has proven that he is capable of hitting the net at a decent rate, even scoring eight times during that underwhelming campaign in Monaco.
But he is more of a wide man than a natural centre-forward and would likely challenge Diogo Jota or Helder Costa, rather than Raul Jimenez for a place in Nuno Espirito Santo’s starting XI.
Wolves look at their best with a physical and intelligent centre-forward leading the line so perhaps Emiliano Sala or Divock Origi, linked by The Mail and The Mirror respectively, should be the priority.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
