Asante Kotoko plot trio swoop deal on Medeama as official contacts made while Justice Blay permanent deal back in strong terms
Asante Kotoko are poised, with a trio move, to beat FA Cup semi-finalists Medeama to signature of their own stars Richard Boadu, Samuel Appiah and Justice Blay with the latest deal coming as one of the three deals Kotoko have vowed to complete before start of next season.
Despite failing to qualify for Africa- which may have come with reinforcement exercise, Kotoko won’t fold their arms looking the likes of Hearts of Oak, Medeama SC, Ash Gold and Legon Cities sweep all the best stars in the local scene.
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However, Asante Kotoko have decided to dig into the transfer market for potential suitors and their midfield is key area they knee on strengthening.
Undoubtedly, the Reds boast one of the best midfield departments in the just ended Ghana Premier League season but not in balanced terms. All their midfielders seem more of box-to-box types which somehow somewhere they can be deployed as defensive midfielders.
Emmanuel Keyekeh, Mudasiru Salifu, Latif Anabila, Kwame Adom Frimpong best operate in the box-to-box role, while in the 2020/2021 season, they were heavily shared in the defensive, deep-lying playmaker, box-to-box and attacking midfield roles at the same time which never worked perfectly for Kotoko and eventually leading them to loss of the Premier League title to rivals Hearts of Oak.
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Asante Kotoko technically lack the defensive midfielder and for the deep-lying playmaking they only have Emmanuel Sarkodie which doesn’t seems a bad thing but the former Nkoranza Warriors skipper is a preferred bench warmer.
And for the attacking midfield, the Kumasi based side only have Fabio Gama who arguably was the club’s brightest spot since the departure of Kwame Opoku to USM Alger.
With these highlights, Kotoko need the defensive, deep-lying and attacking men for the right balance in only the midfield strengthening exercise ahead of next season.
With Mario Barreto identifying this problem but only at the end of the season, Kotoko are on the lookout for the right balance in the center of the pitch while setting on top, quality in each of their targets.
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The former champions are though lucky to have two of their three key areas identified at Medeama SC but it may come as a roller coaster for the Tarkwa based side that selling their stars may create complete squad depletion and knee on keeping intact for next term however financial crisis from the covid-19 pandemic may have turned heads up in consider cashing in on senior members.
The Ghana Premier League side have already began cut down their wage bill after parting ways with some technical staffs and surplus to requirement players including Frank Boateng- whose howler caused Medeama in FA Cup semi-finals loss to Hearts- to free financial space.
According to Ghana’s portal GhanaSoccerNet, Kotoko have not just penciled down names of Richard Boadu and Justice Blay and have even made official contacts with Medeama to sign the two top talents ahead of next season.
Boadu is understood arguably the best and experienced deep-lying playmaker in the Ghana Premier League as Kotoko have decided to bring him in where he can join force with Emmanuel Sarkodie who could also possibly leave for loan.
Boadu had an impressive campaign this season making 24 appearances and scored once. His only goal of the season was against Kotoko at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium.
Justice Blay, who was touted as the best defensive midfielder in Ghana a seasons ago following his loan spell at Kotoko, may reunite to take back his position.
After his loan move, Kotoko embarked to sign the 29-year old on a permanent deal but couldn’t meet then Medeama asking price before injury hampered his career after returning to TNA Park.
With Kotoko failing in previous attempt, the current approach could be a deal breaking moment after reportedly vowing to sign the former Black Stars midfielder next term.
The GhanaSoccerNet report further claims that right-back Samuel Appiah is third Medeama man who has appeared on Kotoko’s shopping list. Appiah also managed 22 appearances.
