Everton Interested in Signing Parma Midfielder Mandela Keita

Everton are reportedly interested in signing Parma midfielder Mandela Keita in the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

Signing a midfielder could be one of Everton's priorities in the summer, especially if Idrissa Gueye heads through the exit door. 

The Senegalese midfielder is set to be out of contract at the end of this month, and it is yet to be confirmed whether he will sign a new contract.

Everton released their player contracts update on the 10th June, confirming that the club were in talks with Gueye over a new contract. 

The Toffees have been pushing to sign a new midfielder in the summer transfer window already, with reports claiming they are ready to pay £20m to sign Middlesbrough's Hayden Hackney. 

The 24-year-old has experience playing in England, unlike Keita, but the Parma midfielder appears to be on the shortlist. 

According to a report from Sky Sports, Everton are among the clubs in the Premier League who are showing an interest in signing Parma midfielder Keita. 

David Moyes wants the Toffees to bring in a number six-style midfielder, with Keita making it on Everton's list of targets. 

Keita is also attracting interest from clubs in Italy after making 70 appearances for Parma, including 37 in Serie A last season. 

The 24-year-old is a Belgian international, but he failed to make the squad that headed to the World Cup earlier this month. 

Keita currently has a contract running until 2029 with the Italian side, which he joined back in 2024. Keita spent his whole career in Belgium before making the move to Parma, where he has gone on to prove himself in a top-five league. 

The report from Sky Sports confirms that the 24-year-old is one of a number of names who Everton are currently looking at for the number six position. Hackney is another midfielder the Toffees are pushing to sign, but he's a different style to Keita. 

The Belgian midfielder is more of a defensive player, whereas Hackney likes to get into the final third to make an impact. Keita would be that traditional number six that Everton have been crying out for for many years now, and he could be the ideal long-term replacement to Gueye. 

Things do appear to be moving for Everton in the transfer market, but these links will mean very little unless they can get a deal over the line.