Keita Balde Diao is reportedly considering whether to invoke Article 17 of FIFA’s transfer regulations in a bid to release himself from his Lazio contract.
Keita was expected to sign a new contract with Lazio, which would give the Biancocelesti leverage in the January transfer window, while ensuring the player would continue receiving minutes, but Corriere dello Sport claims the 21-year-old could be set to take matters into his own hands.
Keita Balde Diao is reportedly considering whether to invoke Article 17 of FIFA’s transfer regulations in a bid to release himself from his Lazio contract.
Keita was expected to sign a new contract with Lazio, which would give the Biancocelesti leverage in the January transfer window, while ensuring the player would continue receiving minutes, but Corriere dello Sport claims the 21-year-old could be set to take matters into his own hands.
As Keita signed his original Lazio contract over three years ago and is under 28, Balde may wait until 15 days before the Aquile’s final Serie A game of the season, when he must give them notice that he intends to buy out his contract.
Lazio value the Keita at €30m, but FIFA would determine the fee paid by the former Barcelona attacker to the club, although it would be considerably less than the Romans’ asking price.
Article 17 is best attributed to ex-Scotland defender Andy Webster, who triggered the clause in order to join Wigan Athletic from Hearts in 2006.
The newspaper also claims Keita could be traded for Napoli striker Manolo Gabbiadini.