Why Wolverhampton Wanderers should sign the talented Keita Balde
According to the Birmingham Live, Wolverhampton Wanderers are interested in making a move for on-loan Inter Milan striker Keita Balde. The AS Monaco striker is on a season-long loan from the French outfit but has found life difficult in the Serie A.
The report suggests that Inter could be looking to offload him as early as January and potential suitors will have to pay a fee of £4.5million to take over the loan. Wolves should definitely consider making a move for the Senegalese international given his ability and eye for goal.
The newcomers have made a splendid start to their Premier League campaign and are very much in contention for a top-ten finish this season. The likes of Diogo Jota, Ivan Cavaleiro, Helder Costa and Raul Jimenez have all tormented defenders this season.
The arrival of Keita Balde would further strengthen their pace and energy up front. Though fielded as a left winger or as a left midfielder usually, the Senegal international is capable of playing on the right flank as well.
The 23-year-old is also comfortable playing in a lone striker’s role in Nuno Espirito’s 3-4-3 formation used in the league this season. Balde would fit it into a number of positions in that formation and that makes him an ideal option for this Wolves side.
The Monaco striker is comfortable with both feet and loves taking on the defenders. If deployed on the wings, he is definitely capable of stretching the defenders out of position, which will give striker Raul Jimenez all sorts of space in the middle. He has averaged a pass success rate of 87.2% in the Serie A this season. (Stats courtesy – Whoscored)
Keita is also a superb linkup player in the final third and loves playing the one-twos. He has managed just 2 goals and 2 assists in 12 Serie A appearances this season, though most of those have been off the bench. (Stats courtesy – Whoscored)
The Wolves also have just one firing striker right now, Raul Jimenez, who is on a loan deal from Benfica. Nuno Espirito Santo can rotate between Keita and Jimenez whenever required. Jimenez has played every game in the league for the Wolves this season and could use some help up front.
Wolverhampton Wanderers should definitely make a move for Keita Balde in January. Though the Senegalese international has had a lacklustre season at Inter so far, he definitely possesses the ability to flourish in the Premier League.