Liverpool
Premier League • England
Liverpool contract rebel interests Arsenal, Tottenham, adding new layer of intrigue to imminent decision
If Naby Keita is to leave Liverpool in 2023, the year his contract expires, then he could land elsewhere in the Premier League, according to a report.
Keita’s future is up in the air at present after a summer in which he was linked with a move away from Liverpool. The club are looking to regenerate their midfield next year, which could cause the Guinea international to be left behind.
Contract talks have not gone smoothly, so Keita has already been tipped to find a new club in 2023. There have been suggestions of a return to the Bundesliga for the former RB Leipzig man, for example.
However, a report from 90min has now revealed that there are three suitors lurking in the Premier League for Keita.
According to the online outlet, the London-based trio of Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea are all keeping tabs on whether the 27-year-old will become available.
If any of them want to sign him on a free transfer, they will have to wait until the summer. In the meantime, clubs from abroad could tie him down to a pre-contract agreement from the beginning of January.
And the report reminds that Keita is also attracting clubs in Germany, Spain, Italy and France. Therefore, any Premier League club looking to sign him might be playing catch up.
However, it will be up to the player to decide in the end. If he wants to continue in the Premier League, he might have some willing takers other than his current employers at Liverpool.
For now, it seems to be simply a case of them keeping an eye on his situation. But if the chances of him staying at Liverpool decrease, perhaps there could be further developments.
Naby Keita might need fresh start elsewhere
Keita has been unable to play for Jurgen Klopp’s side so far this season due to injury, other than a brief appearance in the Community Shield back in July.
In total, since joining the club in 2018, the midfielder has managed to make 117 appearances in all competitions. There have been 11 goals and seven assists along the way.
Liverpool are the club Keita has represented the most in his career. Yet how long their association continues is up for question.
The number eight has struggled for consistency since his arrival at Anfield. There have been flashes of his quality, but injuries have largely held him back.
It seems that Liverpool’s intention to sign another midfielder in 2023 might spell the end for him on Merseyside. But does he deserve a second chance elsewhere in the Premier League?
Given his physical track record, perhaps there should be some reservations. On the other hand, maybe his lack of consistency at Liverpool could also be attributed to their tactics not being the best fit for him.
Would he work better at Arsenal, Chelsea or Tottenham? Only time would tell. But either way, it seems like Naby Keita is ready for a fresh start in 2023.