Norwich City are among the clubs monitoring on-loan Royal Antwerp midfielder Mandela Keita ahead of the summer transfer window. 

That's according to reports by Belgian outlet Nieuwsblad, who say that the defensive midfielder is expected to be 'hot' in England this summer after impressive performances for the four-time title winners. 

It is not the first time that Norwich have been linked with the Belgian international, having supposedly been admirers of him last summer. 

Keita has spent the season on loan at Antwerp from Oud-Heverlee Leuven, with there being an obligation to sign him permanently if certain conditions are met. That was the same last season, with the buy option proving too rich. 

That re-negotiated buy clause is reported to be around €7million, but if Royal Antwerp don't activate it, Keita is expected to be moved on given the growing levels of interest. 

Norwich are among the clubs Belgian media have named as scouting Keita, with the club thought to have a defensive midfielder on their shortlist this summer regardless of which division they end up in. 

Keita, 22, is expected to move away from Belgium and move to England after Royal Antwerp's league campaign is completed this month. 

They were beaten 1-0 by Union Saint-Gilloise in the Belgian Cup final on Thursday and have just three matches left in their campaign. Keita has played 36 games this season and produced impressive performances. 

A host of English clubs are supposedly monitoring him, according to the report, including Championship rivals Leeds United and Blackburn Rovers, as well as Nottingham Forest and West Ham. 

That would likely put Keita beyond City's reach, especially if they fail to win promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs, which kick off this Sunday against Leeds United in the semi final. 

A failure to reach the Premier League would make the financials needed to sign Keita way beyond City - who scout players for all outcomes in order to be well-prepared. 

This summer will be the first opportunity to sporting director Ben Knapper to put his stamp on the squad, with the expectation being that he reduces the average age of the playing group.