Why Tottenham Should Beat Liverpool To The Signing Of Keita Balde Diao
Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC are two Premier League clubs on the lookout for established winger this summer and both have clubs have been linked with Lazio’s 22-year-old forward Keita Balde Diao. Although both clubs are keen on signing the Senegal international, Keita can only end up on one side by the end of the transfer window. Of the two English sides, Tottenham have more reason to land the youngster as they look to add more firepower to their attack.
What makes him special?
After making his Serie A debut with Lazio in 2013, Keita Balde went on to become a regular starter for the Italian side for the next three seasons. But it was his magnificent run of form last season that really caught the attention of major European clubs, particularly Liverpool and Tottenham. In 34 appearances for the club, Keita produced 16 goals and 6 assists throughout all competitions.
His season-defining moment came against Palermo when he netted a hat trick against the Serie A side within a span of just 5 minutes. With the hat trick against Palermo, the 22-year-old broke Andriy Shevchenko’s 17-year record of the fastest hat-trick in Serie A history.
Lots of potential
Having been educated at the Barcelona’s prestigious La Masia academy between the period of 2004-2011, Keita’s exploits in Serie A do not come as a surprise. In fact, legendary Italian centre-back like Giorgio Chiellini had gone on to compare him with football’s latest teenage sensation, Kylian Mbappe. A move to the Premier League will only further improve him and help him develop as a player.
Title challenge
If Tottenham have any ambitions of attaining silverware this season, they must bring in quality players like Keita Balde Diao to the club. Although Spurs played some fancy football and achieved Champions League football, the one thing they have failed to acquire is silverware. Surely with the inclusion of Keita Balde, Spurs can add push beyond a challenge and win some trophies this season.
Going into the battle for Keita Balde, Tottenham have one good reason that they could use to lure the 22-year-old to their turf is they can offer a lot more first team football than the Reds. With the likes of Sadio Mane, Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and the possible arrival of Mohamed Salah, Keita might not see much regular first team football. But the Reds do have an attractive incentive in the form of Klopp, to lure him to Anfield.