Barça sign Keita - Official - TalkSoccer

**Pat Murphy** · 21-05-2008, 03:42 PM

Barça Close On Keita

Quote:

Barcelona are thought likely to conclude a deal for Sevilla midfielder Seydou Keita in the coming days according to reports in the Spanish media.

Keita, 28, has been one of the revelations of La Liga this season, slotting straight into the centre of Sevilla's midfield and building a large reputation for himself with a string of excellent performances throughout the campaign.

His displays have been enough to attract the attention of a number of pre-eminent European clubs, with the likes of Liverpool and Juventus said to hold an interest in the Malian midfielder.

Barcelona are also firm admirers of Keita and it seems that they are willing to pay the €14million that would trigger the release clause in his Sevilla contract and allow him to move to the Camp Nou.

'Marca' reports that the Catalan giants are all set to make their move and that Keita could even turn up at the LFP offices later today to deposit Barça's money and seal his transfer to the blaugrana.

Incoming coach Josep Guardiola is said to be keen to add greater balance to his midfield and the signing of the left-footed Keita would certainly achieve that goal.

Barça also hold an interest in Keita's current Sevilla team-mate Daniel Alves and although they are confident of getting their man, Sevilla president Jose Maria Del Nido indicated yesterday that the club will only sell for the right price, believed to be over €25million.

Nick Dorrington - Goal.com

Goal.com - Barcelona - Barça Close On Keita

He seems a likely signing so I've opened a thread for Keita.

Sevilla and La Liga revelation in his first season after joining Sevilla for just 4m euros. Barca now are going to pay his buyout clause of 14m euros it seems.

Sevilla have also signed Christian Koffi Ndri Romaric for between 8m and 10m to supposedly fill the Keita shaped hole that he'll leave.

**Pat Murphy** · 24-05-2008, 11:08 AM

Keita is in Barcelona today. Last night he had dinner with his agent, the VP Marc Ingla, and Txiki to discuss matters. He also passed a few medical tests while he's been in Barcelona.

Barcelona have agreed to pay the 14m euros buyout clause but are trying a complex deal where they won't have to pay 2.5m euros tax.

He'll sign for 4 seasons and will be Deco's replacement.

**Pat Murphy** · 24-05-2008, 11:15 AM

Also I couldn't have a Keita thread without this video.....

TalkSoccer Media Player

Left foot half volley which bullets into the top corner vs Real Madrid

**lionel** · 24-05-2008, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pat

Also I couldn't have a Keita thread without this video.....

yep

I'm very pleased with this almost done signing and I'd be much more pleased to see keita and toure play together next season.

**Pat Murphy** · 24-05-2008, 06:36 PM

TalkSoccer Media Player

Another 2 Keita left foot strikes from last season.

**Pennywise** · 25-05-2008, 08:21 PM

Good signing. Barca won't sit and watch Madrid rules La Liga again, so I reckon its not Guardiolas last signing before next season.

**Pat Murphy** · 26-05-2008, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Keita is now a Barça player

Seydou Keita has signed his contract with FC Barcelona and is the club’s first signing for the 2008-09 season.

This lunchtime Seydou Keita signed the contract which ties him to FC Barcelona for the next four seasons until 30 June 2012. The player’s buy-out clause is €90 million.

Seville FC, where the player comes from, has announced on its website that Seydou Keita has faxed a letter to the Seville chairman saying that he is exercising his right to cancel his employment contract with the club in advance in accordance with article 13 of Royal Decree 1006/1985.

fcbarcelona.com

Official. One of the best players we could have signed I think.

**Pat Murphy** · 26-05-2008, 04:14 PM

**Trim** · 26-05-2008, 05:00 PM

Good signing! How much you paid for him?

EDIT-- Nevermind. Found out.

Quote:

Seydou Keita of Sevilla has bought out his contract of €14m

Podolski · 26-05-2008, 05:24 PM

why is your sig first signing, didnt you sign pique first?

**Trim** · 26-05-2008, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Podolski

why is your sig first signing, didnt you sign pique first?

That's not official yet.

**Pat Murphy** · 26-05-2008, 05:38 PM

Pique the price is still being haggled with United although both Pique and Barca say the negotiations are advanced.

Barca did a sneaky move here. They got Keita to buyout his contract for 14m euros and then pay him back so we didn't have to pay the 2.5m euros tax to the Federation. Very sneaky.

**Trim** · 26-05-2008, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pat Murphy

Barca did a sneaky move here. They got Keita to buyout his contract for 14m euros and then pay him back so we didn't have to pay the 2.5m euros tax to the Federation. Very sneaky.

Interesting..!

**Vargas_4** · 29-05-2008, 02:45 AM

Really good signing.

Keita has always taken part of a good role at Sevilla. I'm sure that with Toure, you're defensive problems will be reduced.

All you need to do is to keep making this good purchaises.

**lionel** · 28-06-2008, 08:21 AM

The Presentation of Keita:

his barca toon: