CSKA Sofia in talks to sign Jules Keita from RC Lens | OneFootball

La Voix du Nord have today moved to confirm Bulgarian reports that CSKA Sofia have entered into talks with Ligue 1 side RC Lens to sign Jules Keita.

The Guinean forward joined RCL last year from Dijon as part of the deal that saw French youth international attacker Mounir Chouiar head the other way.

Lens had not initially intended to place the Guinean international on the transfer market this summer. Under contract until 2023, Keita has seen CSKA Sofia and one other Bulgarian side make an approach for his services.

These approaches have convinced RCL to at least consider the player’s departure. Dubbed “Baba Neymar” by his loved ones, Keita has failed to make an impact in 2019/20 with Lens, making just four substitute appearances in Ligue 2, accumulating 67 minutes of playing time with just a single assist to show for it.

The player has little faith that his playing time will increase in the French top flight next season, which is why he is considering a departure. Lens want around €1m in order to allow for the player to depart.

Keita is currently stuck in Guinea owing to health regulations around COVID-19, which has prevented him from starting pre-season with RCL – not a good omen for someone who was already going to have to impress considerably in the early going to be in with a chance of obtaining regular 1st team action with RCL in 2020/21.

Sofia have held talks in recent days with the player, who is warming to the idea of the move. Not yet there, but Keita to Bulgaria is becoming more than just a possibility.