Liverpool have reportedly agreed a club record £48 million deal with RB Leipzig to sign Naby Keita next summer.
According to a report by BBC, Liverpool are set to shatter their club transfer record in a deal that will see them sign Naby Keita from RB Leipzig – a transfer that will go through next summer.
The Reds will pay the Guinean midfielder’s £48 million release clause plus an undisclosed premium to bring him to Anfield.
Keita joined Leipzig from sister club Red Bull Salzburg last summer and quickly established himself as their talisman. A mainstay in midfield, the player made 32 Bundesliga appearances for the East German outfit, bagging eight goals and as many assists while being their lynchpin at the centre of the park.
Having been one of the most instrumental figures for Leipzig in their stunning second place finish in what was only their maiden Bundesliga campaign, Keita has seen his stock skyrocketing this summer.
Some of the biggest clubs in the world have registered an interest in the player, but it is Liverpool who have been the front-runners in his chase. The Merseyside club have been hot in his pursuit all through the summer, albeit without much success.
Keita done. Announcement by @LFC likely to be around 2 O’Clock. #LFC #NabyKeita pic.twitter.com/jlXAo2yrjq
— Neil B (@NeilBITK) August 28, 2017
Midfield has reportedly been a priority for Jurgen Klopp this summer, with the German manager often stretched for resources due to persisting injury problems in his squad. While last season it was Jordan Henderson and Marko Grujic who left the Liverpool boss with slim pickings, Adam Lallana’s absence has been hurting this time around.
Thus, Keita has been identified as a viable target for Klopp, who can not only bolster his options at the centre of the park but also add a lot of value to his squad. Indeed, his stamina, work-rate and abilities on the ball have made him the perfect fit in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s all-action style of play at Red Bull Arena.
With Klopp implementing a similar style at Anfield, Keita can potentially become an inspired addition for Liverpool. However, Leipzig have remained defiant in their stance on selling the 22-year-old this summer, insisting that he is not on sale and rebuffing all approaches from the Reds.
The Merseyside club previously had a £70 million bid turned down as well, but have now finally reached a compromise with Leipzig that will have them shatter their transfer record. The deal would see the Bundesliga club keep Keita this season, with Liverpool signing him next summer.
The transfer would see the Reds fork out the player’s £48 million release clause plus an undisclosed premium that will make him a Liverpool player on 1 July, 2018. Although, after finally succeeding in his pursuit of Keita, it remains to be seen if Klopp signs another midfielder to solve his woes for this season.
