Steidten’s first pick from new scouting department
Reports from Holland and Belgium have surfaced indicating that West Ham are eyeing Antwerp’s central midfielder, Mandela Keita. The 21-year-old caught the attention of Blackburn last summer but opted to stay put in Belgium.
Keita had a successful loan spell at Antwerp from OH Leuven last season, contributing to their first top-flight title victory since 1957. This season, he has made 20 appearances for Antwerp, tallying one assist. Keita has also earned caps for the senior Belgian national team.
Steidten’s first pick? Antwerp’s central midfielder, Mandela Keita has caught the eye.
Antwerp recently parted ways with another promising midfielder, Arthur Vermeeren, who joined Atletico Madrid in La Liga. Keita is valued at €11m. Antwerp is obligated to make Keita’s loan move permanent at the end of the season. Therefore, they are likely to seek a fee higher than what they owe Keita’s parent club.
This potential transfer target marks one of the first ventures for Tim Steidten’s newly established scouting department. Steidten has bolstered the team with data analysts and international scouts, signalling a proactive approach to identifying talent.
West Ham’s director of football’s brother Moritz Steidten joined West Ham United as head of international scouting and recruitment from Werder Bremen. He was a scout at Werder Bremen from July 2015 to February 2024. Max Hahn has also joined West Ham United as their new Head of Technical Recruitment and Analysis
Hopefuilly Moyes will be gone as well.With someone with more than a planA we will attract more quality players.I sometimes wonder with Moyes why we even bother with an acadamy.
Ahh just what we need, that should get us more goals 😂😂
I was just thinking we’re a little short on central midfielders too!!