Cheick Keita is attracting interest from Fiorentina, Real Betis and Villarreal as the January transfer window approaches, with Villarreal having already made contact with the Mali international’s representatives.
The 23-year-old defender currently plays for Charleroi and is under contract with the Belgian club until June 2027. According to Ekrem Konur, all three clubs are monitoring his situation, although Villarreal appear to have made the most progress so far.
Africafoot reported that Villarreal have opened preliminary discussions with Keita’s entourage. The Spanish club are understood to be following the defender closely and increasing their efforts ahead of the next transfer window.
The club, known as the Yellow Submarine, could go further by submitting a formal offer in January. That would put Charleroi in a significant negotiating position, particularly with interest from several clubs potentially increasing competition for the defender.
Keita’s current market value is estimated at €3.5m by Transfermarkt. That figure is an assessment of his present value rather than a confirmed asking price, with any transfer fee likely to depend on Charleroi’s demands and negotiations between the clubs and the player’s representatives.
His future is therefore expected to remain under scrutiny as the winter window draws closer. Fiorentina and Real Betis have registered their interest, while Villarreal have already taken initial steps towards a possible deal.
The next stage will be to see whether Villarreal turn that interest into an official proposal, or whether one of the other interested clubs decides to make a move for the Mali defender.
Villarreal CF are due to face Espanyol in their 11th match of the Spanish championship.