RB Leipzig comment on speculation over Keita joining Liverpool early

Oli Fisher

RB Leipzig have put speculation to bed over Naby Keita’s future by confirming he will remain with the club until the summer.

Liverpool agreed a deal to sign Keita for £55million last summer, with the player not arriving at Anfield for another 12 months.

But the sale of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona has seen Liverpool attempt to push the move forward to January.

Leipzig put speculation “to bed” on Sunday however, confirming that the player would stay in Germany until June.

Liverpool had been locked in negotiations during the month with regards to bringing Keita in early, and reports claimed on Friday that a deal with Leipzig could be struck as early as Sunday.

The Reds would have had to pay a further premium on top of the £55m they paid for Keita in the summer.

But Leipzig have ended any hope of a compromise, with the midfielder key to their hopes in the Europa League. They are also second in the Bundesliga, and hopeful of consecutive Champions League qualifications.

It is believed that Liverpool will wait until the summer, when Keita does arrive, to sign a replacement for Coutinho.

 

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