One of Liverpool’s top transfer targets could be on the move this summer after all but he won’t come cheap…
After finally securing Roma winger Mohamed Salah at the end of last week, Liverpool FC have reportedly been given a boost in the pursuit of another of their top targets.
The development, as disclosed by the Guardian and Bild amongst others, relates to surprise Bundesliga runners-up RB Leipzig who, despite previously issuing a stern hands-off warning, have now softened their stance over the availability of key midfielder Naby Keïta.
The 22-year-old, who turned down the option of signing a new and improved contract at the end of last season, is believed to be keen on moving away from the Red Bull Arena should the right opportunity present itself.
Along with Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk, Keïta is known to be right at the top of Jürgen Klopp‘s summer wanted list but he will seemingly cost the Kop boss as much as £70million.
Such a figure, if the Guardian report is accurate, is £20million more than the Reds had been looking to spend on a player who only arrived at Leipzig from sister-club RB Salzburg 12 months prior at a cost of £10million.
The dynamic, box-to-box midfielder, who played alongside Anfield winger Sadio Mané at Salzburg, scored eight goals and provided seven assists during his debut Bundesliga campaign and has won 25 caps for Guinea.
Vital Comment
Keïta is a player who has impressed me on the couple of occasions I’ve seen him and who could add something extra to our current line-up. Although still a little raw in some regards, his all-action approach is something to behold at full-tilt and could be a perfect fit for a central midfield that is often exposed by the attacking setup and quick-pressing tactics deployed by Klopp. With Lucas Leiva likely to move on, and Jordan Henderson enduring a couple of injury-plagued seasons, making an addition in the centre of the park would also make sense, even if deficiencies in defence need addressing more urgently. Even at £50million, Keïta would represent a gamble however and it will be interesting to see how this one develops.
Likelihood (out of 5):
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