Barcelona are exploring signing Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita for free
According to Catalan daily SPORT (h/t Liverpool Echo), Barcelona are exploring the possibility of signing Guinean midfielder Naby Keita who plays for Liverpool on a free transfer next summer.
The 27-year-old midfielder has a contract with the Reds that expires in 2023. (transfermarkt). He is yet to pen down a new deal with Liverpool and there are polarising views on whether he must be offered one.
Keita’s time at Liverpool has been a very curious case. He was signed to many expectations of what he could bring to the table and although we have seen glimpses of that potential, he has been very injury-prone and as a result of that, inconsistent.
Every time the Guinean midfielder looks to be turning over a new leaf and starts looking like the player we expected when we signed him, yet another injury happens which rules Keita out for a considerable period of time.
This season has been no different for the former RB Leipzig man. He has missed all footballing action since the Community Shield final win against Manchester City and is yet to be back in training.
Whilst still just 27 and definitely having the abilities required to succeed in a Jurgen Klopp team, there is enough time for Keita to turn it around if the club decide to extend his current deal and if he is on board to stay here.
There have been times, of course, when he was not picked to start despite being fit and on the bench. However, we can’t blame Klopp for that as it is important to start players who are playing on a regular basis and are in a rhythm.
However, Spanish giants Barcelona are looking to pull a transfer coup and convince the Guinean star to come to Camp Nou on a free transfer next summer if Keita doesn’t renew with Liverpool.
Liverpool have a huge decision to make with Keita. Do they trust him and give him yet another chance to prove his abilities in a Reds shirt or do they decide to cut their losses and move on is a question for the decision-makers at Anfield to answer.
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Keita is not a bad player by any stretch of the imagination. The Reds could choose to give him a short-term deal which can be extended if he performs but this is a situation that lies firmly in the balance and it remains to be seen which way it tilts.
