Agent: ‘Keita rejected nobody’

Keita Balde Diao has moved to Monaco, but his agent assures “we had no deals with any other clubs and Lazio never told us about offers.”

The striker finally completed his transfer for €30m plus €5m in bonuses last night.

“The soap opera is over,” agent Roberto Calenda told Radio Sportiva.

“The best thing was to find a solution that made everyone happy. Monaco had already asked for the lad last season and came back with real determination.

Keita Balde Diao has moved to Monaco, but his agent assures “we had no deals with any other clubs and Lazio never told us about offers.”

The striker finally completed his transfer for €30m plus €5m in bonuses last night.

“The soap opera is over,” agent Roberto Calenda told Radio Sportiva.

“The best thing was to find a solution that made everyone happy. Monaco had already asked for the lad last season and came back with real determination.

“Keita will have to prove his worth at an important club. Monaco are among the best sides in Europe.”

Calenda already posted a message criticising Lazio and the media for fuelling the narrative that Keita rejected proposals from Milan, Inter, Napoli and West Ham United because he had a deal with Juventus.

“There is only one truth here: we had no agreement with any club and we did nothing to create problems. There was a lot of interest in Keita, but Lazio never told us about offers.

“We were the victims of media attacks and difficult situations were created, such as not calling him for the Italian Super Cup game. We still don’t know why he wasn’t called up, as Keita always trained regularly.

“Lazio also never offered a contract renewal, they only lately attempted a clumsy approach.”