Leipzig chief in big admission over future of Liverpool target Keita

Ross Gibson

RB Leipzig chief Ralf Rangnick admits his club hold little hope of pinning Liverpool target Naby Keita down to a new deal.

The Reds have already had two offers for the Guinea international turned down, which were thought to be in the region of £57million and £66m.

The Bundesliga outfit are keen to hold onto one of their key players ahead of their first ever Champions League campaign – and so resolute where they in their determination to keep him, that the Reds were forced to shelve plans to make a third and final bid.

That’s because it is understood that a release clause in Keita’s contract of £47million comes into place in 12 months time.

And Leipzig’s sporting director Rangnick admits it will be difficult for the club to negotiate a new deal with the player, where this clause does not come into place.

“I am not currently assuming that we will be able to extend his contract prematurely,” Rangnick told Sport Bild.

“I can assure you that Naby is playing with us this season. All other scenarios also depend on how we do this season, how Naby plays himself and so on.”

The news of the £47m release clause may work in Liverpool’s favour, although Klopp will be disappointed to have to wait that period of time to get a player he admires so much.