Liverpool facing Naby Keita price hike next summer

Liverpool could end up paying a lot more for Naby Keita than was first anticipated when the RB Leipzig midfielder joins next summer.

The Reds agreed to pay Keita’s release clause figure of £48million, which represents a club-record fee, in the summer but details have now emerged of the undisclosed premium that will have to be paid on top of that fee.

Ahead of the 22-year-old making his switch in 2018, SportBild have reported that the extra money owed will be decided upon where Leipzig finish in the Bundesliga table come the end of the season.

Should they finish outside of the European spots then the fee will rise to £57m, while bagging a Europa League spot will see Leipzig earn £62m.

 

Want news and features on the Reds on your Facebook timeline? Like our dedicated Liverpool page.

 

Finally, should Leipzig finish in the top four and secure Champions League football again, £66m will be pocketed by the German outfit – the actual fee that they turned down for the player over the summer.

They currently sit third in the Bundesliga table but crashed out of the Champions League at the group stage after finishing third in their group – only good enough for a Europa League last-32 place.

Anfield chiefs will no doubt be hoping that Leipzig drop down the table as the season goes on, with the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen and Hoffenheim all currently chasing them.