Balde Keita wants to stay in Serie A despite West Ham bid
If the transfer window closed today, West Ham would consider themselves one of the bigger winners of the summer with the business they have done so far – but they aren’t done yet.
Still eager to reinforce the attack, West Ham have had a club-record bid accepted for Lazio’s star attacker Balde Keita, but their ambitious effort is likely to end in vain.
Football Italia report that despite the Premier League offer, Keita wants to continue his young career in Serie A amid interest from both Juventus and Inter Milan.
With just a year left on his contract, Keita is likely to be sold this summer by Lazio but neither Juventus or Inter Milan have come close to meeting their asking price, something the Hammers have done.
The 22-year-old attacker netted 16 goals last season for Lazio and is regarded as one of the best young forwards in Italy today.
While a move to West Ham is looking increasingly unlikely, the Hammers will not give up in their pursuit of the former Barcelona academy graduate until he signs on the dotted line for someone else.