Manchester United are reportedly keen on signing the Belgian midfielder Mandela Keita who is on loan at Royal Antwerp.
The player is currently on loan from OH Leuven and Antwerp have an obligation to make the move permanent if certain conditions are fulfilled.
According to a report from Het Nieuwsblad, Manchester United are keeping tabs on the defensive midfielder and they will face competition from the likes of West Ham United and Nottingham Forest.
Keita is highly rated around Europe and he has a big future ahead of him. He could prove to be a quality long-term investment for the Red Devils.
It is no secret that Manchester United need midfield reinforcements and they will have to find a quality long-term alternative alternative to Casemiro. The Brazilian midfielder has not been at his best this season and summer signing Sofyan Amrabat has not worked out either.
It will be interesting to see if Manchester United come forward with an offer to sign the 21-year-old during the summer transfer window.
Keita could be attracted to the idea of joining a big club like Manchester United and he will feel that regular football in the Premier League could accelerate his development and help him fulfil his potential.
It remains to be seen whether Manchester United are prepared to provide him with gametime assurances ahead of any potential move. Keita needs gametime in order to continue his development and he cannot afford to sit on the bench at a big club right now. It will be interesting to see how the situation develops.
Manchester United will certainly fancy their chances of beating the like of West Ham and Nottingham in the race. However, the deal could be complicated if Royal Antwerp sign him permanently at the end of his loan spell.
