Lazio winger Keita Balde Diao’s protracted move away from the Serie A club has taken another turn after they rejected a €25m from Inter Milan, according to Mediaset Premium (via Football-Italia.net).
Earlier this month the Italian newspaper La Repubblica reported that Chelsea were lining up a £17m bid for the Senegalese international, but despite the 23 year old only having a year left on his contract, Lazio are determined to hold out for €30m (£26.76m).
Juventus were also in the race for the forward but Lazio president Claudio Lotito has reportedly refused to negotiate with the Serie A champions, leaving Inter as the firm favourites to land the player.
The winger’s pace and threat in front of goal would no doubt be of benefit to Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, but it looks as though the Italian has set his sights on another Serie A player in Antonio Candreva.
Keita will likely replace either Candreva or Ivan Perisic (who is interesting Manchester United) on the wing for the Nerazzurri. A domino effect could then take place whereby Keita’s signing could lead to Inter being willing to let Candreva make the move to Stamford Bridge.
