Liverpool might have started their transfer window with a bang following the record arrival of Mohamed Salah, but things have stagnated a bit as they have been rebuffed in their chase for Virgil van Dijk and more recently, Naby Keita.
Jürgen Klopp had earmarked the diminutive RB Leipzig man as the perfect midfield option for the summer but they have been taken aback by Leipzig’s asking price which is north of 70 million pounds, almost double the amount the club paid for Salah a few weeks ago.
Although the club has money to spend, it seems a bit far-fetched for the deal to go ahead considering Keita has had just one good season in the German top flight.
Now, Liverpool have apparent received a ‘hands off’ message from the East Germans according to reports from talkSPORT.
Wise to move on?
Needless to say, Keita would have been a smashing addition to Liverpool. The Reds need someone like Keita who can not only maraud forward and take on players, but also do a smashing job in keeping his shape in the midfield while transitioning from attack to defence.
Liverpool have lacked a good defensive midfielder for quite some time and even though Keita is considered more as a box to box midfielder, he is ideal for Klopp’s blueprint.
Having worked with the godfather of geggenpressing in Ralf Rangnick, Keita can add a lot of balance to Liverpool but it’s time they move on and target players who they can actually sign.
Leipzig don’t want to sell and considering they too have Champions League football, you can’t really do anything.
There are plenty of players available out there, so Klopp needs to reassess and sign the right player who can add more value to the team.
