Gabriele Marcotti names three factors that could stop Liverpool signing Naby Keita
The ESPN reporter lifts the lid on three factors that could prevent Liverpool from completing a deal to sign Naby Keita
Gabriele Marcotti has revealed three factors that Liverpool fans must consider in their club’s pursuit of RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita.
The Reds have been linked with a big-money move to sign the 22-year-old box-to-box midfielder in the 2017 summer transfer window.
Jurgen Klopp is thought to be keen to improve his central midfield options ahead of a return to the Champions League next season.
The Merseyside outfit are thought to be willing to spend a club-record fee on Keita, although Marcotti doesn’t expect Liverpool to match RB Leipzig’s £70m price tag.
Indeed, the ESPN journalist believes there are three factors to consider when evaluating whether Keita will secure a move to Liverpool before the start of the 2017-18 season.
“Other factors to consider:
“1. Leipzig have a ton of money. So less pressure to sell and could give Keita improved deal.
“2. How bad does Keita want a move? Is he willing to force a sale?
“3. LFC have other areas to strengthen too. Spending patterns suggest they’ll want to sell too. Can they get their other stuff done at numbers with which they’re comfortable?”
Keita moved to RB Leipzig in a £12.75m deal from Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg in the 2016 summer transfer window.
The Guinea international scored eight times and made nine assists in 31 games in the Bundesliga last term.
Liverpool have already signed Chelsea forward Dominic Solanke and AS Roma winger Mohamed Salah.
