---
title: "Tottenham leading race for midfielder despite ‘multi-million-dollar bidding war’"
canonical: "https://readtottenham.com/2026/05/06/transfer-rumours-tottenham-leading-race-for-midfielder-mandela-keita-bidding-war/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Vishal Subramanian"
section: "Tottenham News"
published: "2026-05-06T11:29:14Z"
modified: "2026-05-06T11:29:19Z"
---

# Tottenham leading race for midfielder despite ‘multi-million-dollar bidding war’

At a glance:

- Tottenham want Mandela Keita
- Midfielder plays for Parma
- Aston Villa also interested

**Tottenham are already making plans to bolster their squad in the summer transfer window under Roberto De Zerbi.**

The Italian has already stamped his authority at the club, but his squad needs a lot of fine-tuning to become a competitive force again.

With just three Premier League games left to go this season, Tottenham have their relegation destiny in their own hands after successive wins against Wolves and Aston Villa.

In both those games, their midfielders stepped up to the plate. However, that is an area of the pitch that needs addressing, and if reports are to be believed, they are already working on a potential signing.

## Tottenham frontrunners for Mandela Keita

Rodrigo Bentancur has been Tottenham’s best player under De Zerbi and the Uruguayan is expected to keep his place next season.

However, he would benefit from playing alongside a vibrant, tough-tackling midfielder, as he isn’t getting younger.

**Read More:** [Tottenham close to submitting £22m bid for Real Madrid ‘game changer’](https://readtottenham.com/2026/05/06/transfer-rumours-football-tottenham-preparing-25m-offer-for-brahim-diaz-real-madrid/)

And this is where Mandela Keita could enter the picture.

According to multiple reports in Italy, as relayed by [Sport Witness](https://sportwitness.co.uk/tottenham-and-aston-villa-in-front-row-for-signing-pl-duo-ready-to-launch-bidding-war/), Tottenham are at the front of the queue to sign the young defensive midfielder, who has earned rave reviews for his performances in Serie A.

> This young Parma team really starting to move me 😮‍💨\
> \
> Adrian Bernabe (Goal) & Mandela Keita (Assist) bossing midfields.\
> Both mad underrated.\
> \
> Sascha Britschgi dominating the right side.\
> Three top performances Vs Verona! [pic.twitter.com/7fZzVvqmjc](https://t.co/7fZzVvqmjc)
>
> — António Mango (@AntonioMango4) [February 15, 2026](https://twitter.com/AntonioMango4/status/2023118677948711050?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Aston Villa are also in the running and a ‘multi-million-dollar bidding war’ could ensue, but the North London outfit are firmly in the picture for his signature.

Keita has been at Parma since the summer of 2024 and has steadily improved over the past 18 months, which is a sign that a summer transfer could be on the cards.

There has been no mention of a potential price tag, though, and Parma are unlikely to part with their prized asset for a cut-price fee.

## Who is Mandela Keita?

The 23-year-old midfielder enjoyed his formative days in Belgium before moving to Italy in the summer of 2024.

**Read More:** [Marco Senesi has just done something that could confirm Tottenham transfer](https://readtottenham.com/2026/05/05/marco-senesi-has-just-done-something-that-could-confirm-tottenham-transfer/)

Keita is an out-and-out defensive midfielder and his skillset could be a good fit for De Zerbi’s 4-2-3-1 setup.

Additionally, he idolises Sergio Busquets, who is one of the greatest footballers to have graced the position.

> Mandela Keita (23) has been a rock for Parma with 34 [#SerieA](https://twitter.com/hashtag/SerieA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) games this season, but he reveals Belgium coach Rudi Garcia hasn't been in touch🇧🇪📞\
> \
> A 3️⃣minute appearance in Euro qualifier vs🇦🇹 (Oct 2023) at age 21y 5m means he is now 'cap-tied' to 🇧🇪 & cannot switch to [#Guinea](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Guinea?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)🇬🇳🔐 [https://t.co/KNlGHUjprC](https://t.co/KNlGHUjprC) [pic.twitter.com/QX11L6Eyqx](https://t.co/QX11L6Eyqx)
>
> — ⚽️²𝐍𝐓 𝐅ᴏᴏᴛʙᴀʟʟ ʜᴜʙ™ (@NTFootballHub) [May 4, 2026](https://twitter.com/NTFootballHub/status/2051215797519872090?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

In an interview with [FC Inter News](https://www.fcinternews.it/news/keita-chivu-mi-ha-insegnato-a-credere-in-me-posso-solo-ringraziarlo-1007733#google_vignette), Keita admitted he was a Barcelona fan growing up as he lauded Busquets and other legends who have played for the club.

“They’re my team of choice, and Ronaldinho was my hero. I admired his charisma. I would have loved to play with him, or with Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, and Busquets. For me, they were football.”

Keita’s contract expires in 2028 and [Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.com/mandela-keita/profil/spieler/707844) value him at around £14m. However, if he continues in the same vein, Tottenham will have to pay much more to price him away from Parma.