Journalist reveals what needs to happen for Liverpool to sign top 22-year-old midfielder
The Liverpool Echo reporter lifts the lid on Liverpool's pursuit of RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita this summer
RB Leipzig need to alter their stance on Naby Keita if Liverpool are to complete an unlikely deal for the Guinea international, according to James Pearce.
The Liverpool Echo reporter is claiming that the Reds are facing an uphill battle to sign the box-to-box African midfielder in the summer transfer window.
Pearce goes on to reveal that the Bundesliga runners-up are determined to keep the 22-year-old for at least another 12 months.
Indeed, the German side have placed a £70m price tag on their star player to warn off potential suitors this summer.
Keita has established himself as one of the most-exciting prospects in the Bundesliga after an excellent first season at RB Leipzig.
Liverpool Echo’s Pearce has played down the Merseyside outfit’s hopes of signing the Guinea star in the current transfer window.
“All hinges on Leipzig’s position changing,” Pearce told the Liverpool Echo.
“Their stance is that he’s not for sale and will stay put for at least another 12 months.
“Will Keita accept that when he reports back for pre-season? If he doesn’t and agitates for a move then Leipzig might have to re-assess.”
Keita moved to RB Leipzig in a £12.75m deal from Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg in the 2016 summer transfer window.
The African star scored nine goals and made eight assists in his first season in the Bundesliga.
