Liverpool have reportedly agreed a deal for RB Leipzig ace Naby Keita.
According to The Express, Liverpool have finally struck a deal with German side RB Leipzig for the signing of midfielder Naby Keita, but he will only join up with the club in 2018.
The Reds have brought in Andrew Robertson, Mohamed Salah and Dominic Solanke this summer, but manager Jurgen Klopp has been intent on bringing Keita to Anfield this summer.
Keita, 22, only joined Leipzig from sister club Red Bull Salzburg last summer, but having hit eight goals and seven assists last season, he quickly became a star in German football.
The Guinean international may receive comparisons to Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante due to his diminutive stature and his superb engine, but he is totally different otherwise, possessing great attacking ability and bursting runs though the middle of the park, rather than the defensive protection of Kante.
Liverpool have been desperate to land the 22-year-old this summer, with Klopp failing with a number of attempts to sign him – but he has now got his man, even if he has to wait a little longer to work with him.
The Express report that Liverpool have finally agreed to sign Keita in a club-record deal, paying a premium on the £48million release clause which comes into effect next summer, with the midfielder officially becoming a Liverpool player on July 1st, 2018.
Leipzig’s Guinean midfielder Naby Keita
Keita will allegedly undergo a medical today despite his wait to join Liverpool, with Klopp no doubt delighted to have finally landed his man as the Reds break their transfer record for the second time this summer.
With Leipzig refusing to let Keita go as they embark on their first Champions League campaign, this seems like the best solution for all parties, with Keita still getting his dream move, and Liverpool ensuring that no other clubs can swoop in and sign him before his release clause can be activated.
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