Leipzig join the race to sign sought-after Auxerre prospect Madiou Keita | OneFootball

With the Olympics football tournament being mostly reserved for U23 players, lots of young talents are emerging from various countries. One of them being AJ Auxerre’s Madiou Keita (19). The Guinea international is targeted by multiple clubs around Europe, according to Foot Mercato.

Auxerre’s academy needs no presentation. With players such as Eric Cantona, Basile Boli, Djibril Cissé, and more recently Evan Ndicka or Sebastien Haller coming through the club’s academy, Auxerre are well known to develop young talents. The last of them could be Keita, who is yet to make his professional debut with the Bourgogne side. Called up by Kaba Diawara to compete with Guinea for the Olympics, Keita is accumulating solid performances, being one of their standout players despite his inexperience. Facing France on matchday 2, the left-footed centre back impressed against Thierry Henry’s side, whether it is technically or physically. Performances that could earn him a big move abroad, as European clubs are closely keeping an eye on the Guinean prospect.

According to Foot Mercato, Keita is on the shortlist of various European clubs. While RB Leipzig are targeting the young defender, the German outfit faces competition from Belgium’s Royal Union St Gilloise and La Liga side Villarreal. With only one year remaining on his current deal, Auxerre may be forced to cash in on a prospect who is yet to make a single appearance for the Bourgogne outfit.

GFFN l Grégoire Devaux