Agents working for Naby Keita have now offered Inter Milan a chance to sign the Liverpool midfielder in a free transfer. His contract at Anfield is set to lapse at the end of this season.
That is according to Calciomercato, which reports Liverpool and Keita have agreed to part ways this summer. Anfield chiefs have no desire to keep the 28-year-old on Merseyside in the future following an injury-plagued five years. He has played just 129 matches for them.
Keita is now seeking a new challenge in Europe and has instructed his agents to sound out potential opportunities. One option may be a move to Inter Milan as the San Siro side have admired his abilities for years. They particularly appreciate the chance to sign him for free.
So, agents working on behalf of Keita have now opened talks with Inter Milan regarding his transfer for once his contract at Liverpool ends. The Nerazzurri intend to evaluate any deal over the coming months before possibly committing to any deal for the 50-cap Guinea ace.
Inter Milan did not shut down their chance to sign Keita as the Serie A side appreciates his technical skill. The Nerazzurri also believe he could play as a central defender alongside his natural midfield duties. Yet he has never played as a centre-back at any point in his career.
Inter Milan eye the transfer of Keita for a role the Liverpool ace has never played
Borussia Dortmund and Keita’s former team, RB Leipzig, would pose the biggest threats to Inter Milan if they target his transfer from Liverpool. The midfielder has suitors throughout Europe. Yet the biggest stumbling block may be his wage with Keita earning £130k-a-week.
Inter Milan could rely on Keita favouring a move to Italy and taking a lesser wage to secure his transfer. But, for now, they will bide their time and continue to monitor his situation at Anfield. Jurgen Klopp has only played Keita in 13 fixtures this term after a hamstring injury.
Each of Keita’s 13 appearances have come from the heart of Liverpool’s midfield so far this term. He has spent the overwhelming majority of his senior career occupying either deep-lying, central or attacking midfield roles. He has also sparingly played off the wings before.
But Keita – who cost Liverpool £53m to sign from RB Leipzig in 2018 yet John Aldridge now considers to be a ‘liability’ – has never started a senior game as a centre-back in his career.
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