Everton Eye Parma Defensive Midfielder Mandela Keita as Moyes Seeks No. 6 Reinforcement
The 24-year-old Belgian international, who joined Parma from Antwerp in 2024, has impressed in Serie A with his physical presence, ball-winning abilities and composure in deep midfield roles. Standing at 1.80m, Keita fits the profile of a tenacious anchor capable of shielding the defence and initiating transitions—qualities Moyes values highly in his pragmatic system.
Sources indicate Keita is one of several targets on Everton’s shortlist as the club looks to bolster its engine room ahead of the new Premier League campaign. Moyes, who returned to Goodison Park in January 2025 and has since steered the Toffees away from relegation threats toward greater stability, is eager to add depth and competition in central areas.
Keita’s career trajectory shows promise. A product of Oud-Heverlee Leuven’s academy, he contributed to Antwerp’s domestic double during a loan spell and has earned senior caps for Belgium. At Parma, he has featured regularly, showcasing strong interception stats and defensive discipline that could translate well to the physical demands of the Premier League.
Financial considerations will play a key role. Parma secured Keita on a long-term deal until 2029, meaning any move would likely command a substantial fee, potentially in the region of €15-20 million depending on negotiations. Everton, operating under prudent financial constraints post-takeover, must balance ambition with sustainability.For Moyes, signing a player of Keita’s calibre would represent a targeted investment in squad solidity. As the transfer window heats up, Everton fans will watch closely to see if the Toffees can secure one of their primary midfield targets and provide the manager with the tools needed for another competitive season.
