Keita Baldé’s time at AC Monza appears to be drawing to a premature close after head coach Paolo Bianco confirmed that the Senegalese striker is no longer part of his plans.
The 30-year-old forward, who only joined the Serie A club in February as a free agent, has been sidelined just months into his stay.
Bianco’s position was made clear following Monza’s recent Coppa Italia clash against Frosinone, where the coach openly stated that Baldé did not fit the profile of striker he requires for his system. Despite confirming the player’s fitness, the Italian coach offered a blunt assessment of why the forward had been excluded.
“Keita is healthy, he has no physical problems. It is purely a technical choice,” Bianco explained in remarks carried by Tuttomonza.it. “After 40 days of work, I can say that he does not have the characteristics I look for in a striker.”
The remarks underline a decisive break between Baldé and Monza’s technical staff. A graduate of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, the Senegalese international was brought in last season to bolster the attack but struggled to make an impact, recording just two goals in 11 Serie A appearances. His omission from the most recent squad is a clear signal that the club is now preparing for life without him.
Monza Turning to the Market
With the new Serie A season fast approaching, Monza’s decision to exclude Baldé has intensified the club’s search for reinforcements in attack. Their current options include Dani Mota, Andrea Petagna, Mirko Maric and Silvère Ganvoula, but none have consistently convinced in front of goal. Mota, in particular, has been linked with a possible departure, further weakening the club’s depth in the final third.
This reality has forced Monza’s management to act quickly in the transfer market. The club is understood to be assessing potential targets to secure a centre-forward who can deliver greater reliability and efficiency in front of goal than the current options at Bianco’s disposal.
Baldé’s Future in Doubt
For Baldé, the outlook at Monza is increasingly uncertain. At 30 years old, the former Lazio, Monaco and Inter forward is facing another turning point in his career. The club is exploring possible exits, with a transfer abroad being considered the most likely route.
Should no viable offers emerge in the coming weeks, Monza may resort to a contract termination with financial compensation, effectively ending the partnership less than a year after it began.
The Senegalese international, who has represented his country at major tournaments with the Lions of Teranga, will now need to assess his options carefully. While his talent and pedigree are unquestionable, Baldé has endured a stop-start career in recent years, with spells across Italy, France, and Russia yielding mixed results.
For the striker, the priority will be finding a club where he can secure regular playing time and rebuild his confidence, particularly with international duties on the horizon.
The coming weeks could prove pivotal in determining whether he can reignite his career away from Monza or face the prospect of another difficult chapter.
As things stand, both club and player are preparing for a parting of ways, bringing an abrupt halt to what had been hoped would be a productive spell in Lombardy.
