Liverpool agree deal to sign Naby Keita from RB Leipzig for club-record fee… next summer
LIVERPOOL have agreed a deal to sign Red Bull Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita for a club-record fee... next summer.
Jurgen Klopp has orchestrated a new offer allowing the Guinean midfielder to stay at the Bundesliga club for one more season before heading to Anfield, according to reports.
Liverpool have been chasing the £60million-rated midfielder all summer - even launching two bids, both of which were rejected.
RB Leipzig sporting director Ralf Rangnick revealed the bids had been received, saying: “There were two offers from Liverpool — and in between, also a telephone call between the clubs.
“For us, it was always clear that we would not give Naby Keita. That is why there was no direct contact.
“Every club that has sporting ambitions would have done the same as we did. But we must weigh it up.
“If we let Keita go for €70-80m (£63-£72.m) this year, what more would that bring us compared to the sum we would get next year?”
Keita's release fee clause next summer will drop to £48m, but Liverpool have reportedly seen a bid higher than that tally accepted.
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Keita could become a replacement for Emre Can, a shining light in Liverpool's midfield so far this season, as he looks set to join Juventus next summer.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have also expressed an interest in signing £55m Monaco midfielder Thomas Lemar and Bayern Munich ace Renato Sanches.
However, they have performed a stunning U-turn regarding the future of their "Little Magician" Philippe Coutinho.