Liverpool see ‘£57MILLION bid for Naby Keita rejected’ by Bundesliga upstarts RB Leipzig
Guinean midfielder's £48m release clause doesn't kick in until next summer
BUNDESLIGA side RB Leipzig have REJECTED a £57million bid from Liverpool for Naby Keita, according to reports in Germany.
The Reds have been chasing the Guinea star, 22, all summer.
report that RB Leipzig have no interest in selling the midfielder.
Keita, who scored eight Bundesliga goals last season, has a £48million release clause in his contract - but it doesn't kick in until NEXT summer.
The German paper reports that Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is 'desperate' to land the midfielder this summer.
RB Leipzig contacted Liverpool earlier this week to tell them that Keita is not for sale at any price.
But Liverpool have no intention of giving up on Keita just yet.
Keita wants to move to Anfield and would forfeit loyalty bonuses to do so.
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NABY KEITA FACTFILE
- Keita was born on February 10 1995 in Conakry, Guinea
- The midfielder joined his hometown club aged nine
- He signed for French club FC Istres in 2012 and was promoted to the first-team squad a year later
- Keita scored 11 goals in 23 matches for the Ligue 2 side during his first season of senior football
- Austrian giants Red Bull Salzburg signed him in 2014 and he helped them to win a league and cup double
- Last June he switched to Germany and RB Leipzig, scoring seven goals in his debut campaign
- Keita made his international debut for Guinea against Mali in 2014 and has gone on to win 25 caps
Despite his willingness to move, Keita may have to hand in a transfer request to see his wish granted.
Klopp, meanwhile, does not have any alternative targets and is desperate to land the former Red Bull Salzburg star who was named in the Bundesliga team of the season last term.
Liverpool may yet return with an improved offer.
But RB Leipzig director Ralf Rangnick said he will not sell any of his top stars last summer.
Rangnick said last week: "We will definitely not be letting any key players go. There's nothing that will make us budge.
"It's totally normal for clubs to be interested in our players, but that doesn't affect our stance on the matter."
