Bayern Munich are reportedly leading Liverpool in the race for RB Leipzig star Naby Keita.
Hamburg’s Walace challenges Naby Keita of RB Leipzig
According to the Liverpool Echo, Bayern Munich lead the race to sign RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita, with Liverpool needing Champions League qualification to challenge for his signature.
Keita, 22, left his native Guinea to join French side Istres in 2013, and after just one season with the club, he moved on to Austria with Red Bull Salzburg.
The midfielder’s outstanding performances for Salzburg saw him join sister club RB Leipzig last summer, and he has been one of the stars of the Bundesliga season so far.
Keita, who stands at just 5ft 7in tall, has racked up four goals and seven assists in just 21 league appearances, and has earned comparisons to N’Golo Kante for his relentless workrate in the middle of the park.
Keita is better going forward than the Chelsea star though, and that package of attributes mean clubs are keen to land him this summer, with the Liverpool Echo reporting that Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp admires Keita, and has had him scouted regularly ahead of a possible summer move.
Frankfurt’s Michael Hector in action with RB Leipzig’s Naby Keita
However, it’s claimed that RB Leipzig’s Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich are leading the race to sign Keita, as they look to keep him in Germany – like they do with the majority of Bundesliga talents.
The report claims that whilst Keita is one of Liverpool’s top summer targets, they currently face an uphill battle to challenge Bayern for his signature, with Champions League football allegedly needed to keep Liverpool in the race.
Keita’s agent, Bjorn Bezemer, also represents Liverpool winger Sadio Mane, and the Reds will be hoping that their relationship with Bezemer can help them fend off competition and land the young midfielder at the end of the season.
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