Liverpool could bring Naby Keita to Liverpool this season itself if they pay a premium fee to complete the move early, as per a Bundesliga expert
According to Bundesliga expert Lee Price, as quote by The Sun, Naby Keita could play for Liverpool this season. The Merseyside club, though, need to shell out a premium fee on the current deal they have agreed with RB Leipzig to sign the Guinean midfielder next summer.
Keita was one of the biggest success stories for RB Leipzig as they incredibly finished second in the Bundesliga, in what was their maiden campaign in the German top flight. Having joined from the Bundesliga newcomers’ sister club, Red Bull Salzburg, the player took no time to establish himself as a mainstay in midfield.
Keita was, in fact, the lynchpin for Leipzig, while bagging eight goals and as many assists in 32 Bundesliga appearances for his side. Suffice to say, his stock has been on the rise for a while, with several prominent clubs across Europe registering their interest in the Guinean international.
Liverpool could advance the move for Naby Keita and complete the signing in January, according to Bundesliga expert Lee Price. pic.twitter.com/FL5kX6Bq63
— LFC Transfer Room (@TransferRoomLFC) September 2, 2017
However, Liverpool won the race to sign Keita in the final days of the summer transfer window, albeit in a deal that would see the player complete his switch to Anfield next summer. The Reds reportedly agreed a deal worth a club record £48 million plus an undisclosed premium for him.
Indeed, Liverpool had been in pursuit of Keita all through the summer, with Jurgen Klopp desperate to bolster his midfield options. Last season, the German manager was often stretched for resources, with Jordan Henderson and Marko Grujic being on extended injury-ridden spells.
The duo’s absence would leave Klopp with Emre Can, Georginio Wijnaldum, Adam Lallana and Lucas Leiva as his only recognised options for three positions at the centre of the park. The absence of Lallana has put the Liverpool boss in a similar predicament this season.
Thus, Keita was a viable target for Klopp to pursue this summer. The player could not only add to the manager’s options, but also add a lot of value with his work-rate and abilities on the ball. But, Liverpool would have to wait till next season to deploy Keita in the midfield as per their deal with Leipzig.
Lee Price: “…that Liverpool could pay a further premium to capture the midfielder [Keïta] in January.”
— LFC Round Up (@LFCroundup) September 3, 2017
However, as it turns out, Keita can still turn out for Liverpool this season, if Bundesliga expert Lee Price is to be believed. “As I revealed back in June, Keita had agreed terms with Liverpool long ago, and it was just Leipzig playing hard ball,” Price said.
“Cornered by his release clause of £48m kicking in next summer, the German club always knew that they’d have to come to an agreement this summer to maximise their income, hence charging Liverpool a premium to do the deal now.
“There is a chance, depending on Leipzig’s domestic and Champions League progress, that Liverpool could pay a further premium to capture the midfielder in January. The deal also suits the Reds, as it safeguards them against Emre Can’s expiring contract.”
If Price is right, and if Liverpool choose to pay the premium to complete Keita’s move, Klopp’s options could be boosted enormously, which would help him mount a Premier League title challenge in the second half of the season. It now remains to be seen if such a move is completed in the winter transfer window.
