Seems like the ‘Naby Keita to Liverpool’ rumours have been put to rest as the Daily Telegraph has claimed that the Reds have agreed a club record fee with RB Leipzig to secure the services of Naby Keita.
Hold on! Sorry to cut your celebrations short. The deal has indeed passed through, but Liverpool will only be getting Keita next summer. Telegraph further reports that Keita has a £48million exit clause in his contract which can be triggered in 2018.
Leipzig, on their part, were initially reluctant to lose their prized asset but with the player himself pushing for the move, they were prepared for a negotiation that would have seen them getting a better deal. Liverpool, however, were ready to wait for another year, but have agreed the terms already to ward off the interest from other European suitors.
It all started with Liverpool reportedly submitting an initial £57m bid for the midfielder. But they faced an outright rejection. Soon, a £66m offer followed, but to no effect for the second time running. But Leipzig’s hardball has unfortunately backfired as the Reds will now complete the deal for a mere £48million.
Having said that, Liverpool fans went nuts as soon as the news broke and this is how they reacted on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/MattOrdish/status/902164051903610881
https://twitter.com/lfcben_/status/902163185553350656
— ChrisBest Oguguo (@choguguo) August 28, 2017
Well it's only Monday we've signed keita (for next season) made a bid for lemar anything possible 😂😂
— Milesey20 🇳🇱🇮🇪 (@Kloppsey20) August 28, 2017
Salah, mane & keita. The party is over when african cup is held 😂
— Ardian P. Putro (@addinpputro) August 28, 2017
https://twitter.com/srooney0479/status/902165959015890944
Naby Keïta is dynamite. A player who will galvanise the midfield through his attacking & defensive output. A one-of-a-kind talent. Finally.
— Sühαÿℓ Aådιʆ ʝʀ. ❤ (@AdilSuhayl) August 28, 2017
https://twitter.com/smokefassad/status/902182671823978497
Naby keita though 😁❤️ pic.twitter.com/mXqvaJSBYF
— Jay Gore* (@JayGoreLFC) August 28, 2017
https://twitter.com/SakhoLad/status/902182464231223297
What a player Cant wait for him to come!! pic.twitter.com/MfaRZ1ci6s
— 🇸🇪 (@JoakimAckelman) August 28, 2017
https://twitter.com/lfc_riley/status/902180926582657024
https://twitter.com/Kloppholic/status/902180318551126017
https://twitter.com/YorisLFC/status/902179517543747585
