Villarreal make early move for Charleroi defender Cheick Keita

Villarreal have made contact with the representatives of Charleroi and Mali defender Cheick Keita as they consider a move for the 23-year-old in the January transfer window.

Keita has attracted interest from several European clubs, with Fiorentina and Real Betis also monitoring his situation. However, Villarreal appear to have made the most progress, according to Ekrem Konur.

As exclusively revealed by Africafoot, the Spanish club have already opened discussions with Keita’s entourage. Villarreal’s directors are understood to be following the defender closely and stepping up their efforts ahead of the next transfer window.

The club could go further by submitting a formal offer in January. That would place Charleroi in a significant negotiating position as interest from clubs in different countries increases competition for the Mali international.

Keita remains under contract with Charleroi until June 2027. His market value is estimated at 3.5m euros by Transfermarkt, although any transfer fee would depend on the Belgian club’s demands and negotiations between the parties.

The defender’s next move is therefore likely to be one of the issues to follow as the winter window approaches. Fiorentina and Real Betis remain interested, while Villarreal have already taken steps to assess the possibility of a deal.

It remains to be seen which club, if any, will turn its interest into an official proposal.