Wolves Opinion: Keita Balde can transform Wolves into a formidable force
According to an earlier report from Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb, Wolves were interested in signing Keita Balde from Inter Milan. However, a move to the Premier League failed to materialize for the Senegalese ace and he stayed put in Italy.
Born in Spain to parents of Senegalese descent, Keita joined Barcelona at the youth level and made his move to Serie A outfit Lazio as a teenager.
er promising a lot at the youth level and subsequently making his mark in the first-team, Keita rose to prominence and became Europe’s one of most sought after young talents following a 16-goal season for Lazio in the 2016-17 season.
His stellar performances for Lazio earned him a move to Ligue 1 outfit Monaco in the summer of 2017.
However, his career has been in a downward spiral ever since, with the attacker being shipped out on loan to Inter Milan in 2018 despite delivering 8 goals and 5 assists in his first season in Ligue 1.
He has disappointed yet again at Inter this season, failing to establish himself as a regular starter for the Nerazzurri and scoring only 4 goals from 17 appearances in the Serie A.
According to the Calciomercato, Inter have the option of buying him permanently for £35 million at the end of the season but they are unlikely to pursue that option given that the 24-year-old hasn’t really performed up to the mark.
With Inter unlikely to buy him permanently and Monaco struggling for survival in Ligue 1, Keita’s future could be up in the air next summer. And the uncertainty over his future might prove to be beneficial for Wolves if Nuno Espirito Santo chooses to reignite his interest in the Senegalese international.
To put things into perspective, Wolves need to add more firepower up front and Keita Balde certainly has the talent and the ability to make an impact in the Premier League.
The 24-year-old has the ability to play in multiple positions in the attacking third and his presence would certainly increase competition for places at Molineux.
A fast, agile, athletic and powerful attacker, Keita is essentially a centre-forward by trade but he is more than capable of playing out wide on either flank and also through the centre as an auxiliary striker.
His key attributes are his pace, dribbling skills, quick acceleration and subtle movement, whilst he is also capable of causing problems for the opposition with his physicality and ability to change directions quickly. The Senegalese ace has a good eye for goal and can also link-up with his teammates.
Wolves have enjoyed a brilliant season in the Premier League on their return to the top flight following a six-year absence. Raul Jimenez and Diogo Jota have hit top gear this season, with both the players complementing each other very well in the attacking third.
However, Wolves are yet to sign Jimenez permanently and they also have a decision to make on the future of Adama Traore, who has been a flop since his big money arrival from Middlesbrough.
Leo Bonatini has been shipped out on loan to Nottingham Forest and it seems unlikely that the Brazilian has a future at Molineux.
Hence, it should be a no-brainer for Nuno Santo to sign another top-quality striker even if Wolves manage to sign Jimenez permanently. And Keita Balde, with his explosive pace, trickery and goal-scoring prowess, should be a good fit for the manager’s counter-attacking style of play.
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Having made a sensational return to the Premier League, Wolves are very much in the race to qualify for the Europa League, and Keita definitely ticks all the boxes to take the club to greater heights.
That said, they should go all out in their pursuit of the Senegalese star and strike a deal to bring him to the Premier League in the summer.
