RBNY transfer rumors: Keita getting axed, new defender, #KakuWatch continues

The recent signing of Cristian Casseres Jr. and the impending signing of Kaku might be the beginning of the end for Red Bulls attacker Muhamed Keita.

According to Kristian Dyer, the Red Bulls are ready to release Keita as they seek to finalize their roster for 2018.

As of Friday, February 2, the Red Bulls appeared to have 11 international players on the roster, but only nine available international roster slots. Once Kaku is signed, that number will increase to 12 players trying to fit into nine slots.

The team has the option of loaning a player down to the II team in USL, or to another club altogether. And there is the possibility that there are more green cards in the squad than currently publicized. But it has been difficult to figure out exactly how RBNY intended to cram its growing band of international signings into its limited roster space. Releasing a player would certainly be one way to relieve some of the pressure on the roster.

The Red Bulls acquired Keita in a transfer from Lech Poznan back in July 2017. However, Keita was caught in an attacker logjam and made just 7 appearances for 203 minutes in 2017.

Interestingly, Keita wears the No. 10 jersey - a number that Kaku supposedly covets.

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Kristian Dyer also reported on Friday that the Red Bulls have signed Ghanaian centerback Wahab Ackwei, with the intention of sending him to NYRB II. The 21-year-old defender played for Ghana Premier League outfit International Allies FC last year, making 23 appearances for 2,070 minutes.

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Despite announcing the signing of midfielder Cristian Casseres on Friday afternoon, the Red Bulls did not announce the signing of the Alejandro Romero “Kaku” Romero.

The month-long #KakuWatch transfer saga has yet to reach its conclusion, but is already inspiring plenty of memes and t-shirts.