Liverpool’s chances of signing Naby Keita still lie in the doldrums as the club are not willing to sell the Guinea midfielder. RB Leipzig will be playing in the Champions League this season and have stated that none of their key players would be leaving the Bundesliga side. (Independent)

There has been talk about a release clause for the 22-year-old midfielder and now, Giovanni Branchini, an Italian “super agent” has stated that Keita does have a clause in his contract.

The Express carries the quotes from the Italian as he spoke to outlet Gazzetta dello Sport and said:

“I really like him [Keita] he’s similar to [N’Golo] Kante but has better technical skills. He has a release clause that can be activated from next summer. RB Leipzig don’t want to sell him now but if he leaves he will be joining Liverpool.”

The presence of a clause might soothe some of the nerves that we have about Naby joining us for a crazy amount. However, the fact that the clause can only be activated next summer, will be a bit of a letdown.

The Guinea midfielder was one of the best players in the Bundesliga last season and helped Leipzig finish 2nd behind champions Bayern Munich.

Many have stated that Keita wants a move only to Liverpool in the summer but it will be tough to lure him away from the hands of Leipzig. The Germans have the lure of Champions League football, while we aren’t assured of a place in the group stages of the competition, thanks to our fourth-place finish.

It will take a herculean effort to get Keita into Liverpool but stranger things have happened in the world of football. We do need an N’Golo Kante type of player but many regard Keita as an upgrade to the Chelsea midfielder.

Keita has been great in attack as well and scored 8 goals and provided 8 assists in the league campaign for Leipzig and should he have a similar impact for us, it would take the team to another level and add another source for goals.

The 22-year-old might not be coming to the club this season, unless we bid a rather ludicrous amount, and Leipzig aren’t in the need to sell either.

Next season seems to be the time when Keita would be looking to join us but this entire “next season” business is a let down as football is extremely unpredictable. It would not be a surprise if the deal does take place on the last day of the window, and we would be extremely pleased if it does happen.

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