Liverpool have agreed a shock deal with RB Leipzig for Naby Keita to be completed next summer. The Guinea International will join the Reds on 1st July 2018, after undergoing a medical today. The Anfield Side have paid a premium on his release clause this summer, which will then activate the 22-year-old’s £48 million release clause for next summer.
Naby Keita underwent a medical this morning in Wilmslow. Deal agreed for him to join #LFC next summer
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) August 28, 2017
Jürgen Klopp has been trying to sign the Leipzig midfielder all summer and is a huge fan of the powerhouse midfielder. The Merseyside Club have seen multiple bids of up to £70 million rejected by the German side. Now, following interest from Barcelona, Keita is on his way to Anfield for the 2018/19 season in a spectacular deal.
Liverpool to Sign Naby Keita Next Summer
Keita has been on Klopp’s radar as a key transfer target due to his pressing and ball recovery in midfield. Described as ‘a mix between N’Golo Kanté and Andres Iniesta’, the Guinean is a box to box midfielder with great upside, who will now slot into Liverpool’s midfield three behind Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané and Roberto Firmino. In the 2017/18 season, Keita netted eight goals, made seven assists and created 41 chances in a season in which Leipzig finished second in the Bundesliga. Although the signing isn’t for this season, Klopp has ultimately cemented the signing of one of his key targets.
Also Bid for Thomas Lemar
This deal comes hours after the Reds’ £66 million bid for Monaco’s Thomas Lemar. The 21-year-old is reportedly keen on a move to Anfield, but a deal will need to be concluded soon if there is any chance of the Frenchman leaving Stade Louis II and the Ligue 1 Champions. Lemar is a versatile midfielder who can play on both wings and through the centre of midfield as a number ten. He scored 14 goals in total last season, as well as clocking up 14 assists in what was AS Monaco’s Ligue 1 title winning season.
Sky sources: Liverpool make bid of £55.5m to Monaco for midfielder Thomas Lemar pic.twitter.com/9tYuSLMmOs
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 28, 2017
Main Photo: MAINZ, GERMANY – APRIL 05: Naby Keita of Leipzig celebrates his team’s third goal during the Bundesliga match between 1. FSV Mainz 05 and RB Leipzig at Opel Arena on April 5, 2017 in Mainz, Germany. (Photo by Simon Hofmann/Getty Images)
