Barca and Real Madrid battle it out for Keita Balde

Barcelona and Real Madrid are in a battle to sign young Lazio striker Keita Balde, according to reports by Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo.

Balde came up through FC Barcelona youth academy but was offloaded in 2011 for 300,000 euros because of attitude issues. The 21-year old Senegalese has been offered back to the Catalan giants and Real Madrid are reportedly also in the race to sign him.

Balde is yet to secure a permanent starting berth at Lazio but managed to get involved in 12 goals this season, scoring 5 times and providing eight assists and Mundo Deportivo are saying the two biggest Spanish clubs are in a war to get him.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez will reportedly meet with the player's agent on Friday but Barça are the front runners for his signature as it may just be included in part of the deal to bring Adriano Correia to the Italian club.