Hindsight's a wonderful thing but it's a real shame we didn't sign Seydou Keita instead of Prince Boateng last summer. Unfortunately, we got the Prince and Sevilla switched targets to Fredi Kanoute's Mali teammate:
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Barca pounce for Keita
Midfielder signs four-year dea
Midfielder Seydou Keita has joined Barcelona on a four-year deal from Sevilla.
The Mali international only moved to Sevilla from Lens last summer but he made such an impression that he was linked with several top clubs including Premier League trio Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham.
Barcelona have now won the race for Keita's signature with reports suggesting he cost in the region of 14million euros (£11million).
"Seydou Keita signed a contract committing him to Barcelona for the next four seasons, or until June 20, 2012," the Catalan club said in a statement.
Keita, whose arrival could pave the way for Portuguese playmaker Deco to leave Camp Nou, is looking to carry his good form into next season.
Happy
He admits there was interest from elsewhere but is delighted to be Barcelona's first summer signing.
"I'm very happy because Barca is a big club," Keita told the official Barcelona website.
"My decision is very important because I had offers from lots of clubs, but I've liked Barca for a long time.
"I don't like talking because I don't think you should talk too much when you're not on the pitch.
"I only want to say that I hope to bring a lot to Barca, as I have done with Sevilla."
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11827_3613484,00.html
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Barca pounce for Keita
Midfielder signs four-year dea
Midfielder Seydou Keita has joined Barcelona on a four-year deal from Sevilla.
The Mali international only moved to Sevilla from Lens last summer but he made such an impression that he was linked with several top clubs including Premier League trio Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham.
Barcelona have now won the race for Keita's signature with reports suggesting he cost in the region of 14million euros (£11million).
"Seydou Keita signed a contract committing him to Barcelona for the next four seasons, or until June 20, 2012," the Catalan club said in a statement.
Keita, whose arrival could pave the way for Portuguese playmaker Deco to leave Camp Nou, is looking to carry his good form into next season.
Happy
He admits there was interest from elsewhere but is delighted to be Barcelona's first summer signing.
"I'm very happy because Barca is a big club," Keita told the official Barcelona website.
"My decision is very important because I had offers from lots of clubs, but I've liked Barca for a long time.
"I don't like talking because I don't think you should talk too much when you're not on the pitch.
"I only want to say that I hope to bring a lot to Barca, as I have done with Sevilla."
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11827_3613484,00.html