Bundesliga expert doesn’t expect Liverpool to spend £70m on 22-year-old star
The Bundesliga expert plays down the chances of Liverpool signing Naby Keita in a £70m deal this summer
Liverpool won’t entertain the idea of matching RB Leipzig’s £70m asking price for Naby Keita, according to Raphael Honigstein.
The Reds have been linked with a potential move to sign the promising 22-year-old as Jurgen Klopp looks to improve his midfield options.
Keith scored eight goals and made seven assists in 31 appearances in his first season in the Bundesliga to attract interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Liverpool are thought to be willing to part with a club-record fee to sign the African midfielder in the 2017 summer transfer window.
However, Bundesliga runners-up RB Leipzig are looking for a fee in the region of £70m to sign the Guinea international this summer.
And German football expert Honigstein admits he doesn’t expect Liverpool to inquire about Keita again after being quoted such a huge fee.
“Leipzig have said unless Liverpool come with a €80m offer, they shouldn’t bother,” Honigstein told the Football Weekly podcast.
“You could read that as certain leeway.
“I read it as they are giving Liverpool such a crazy price, Liverpool won’t call them back.
“For all he has done last season, you can’t ask for 80m euros. That isn’t a price Liverpool can or want to pay.”
RB Leipzig signed Keita in an £11.75m deal from Swiss side Red Bull Salzburg last summer.
The Guinea midfielder helped RB Leipzig finished in second place in the table behind Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.
Liverpool have already signed England Under-20 international Dominic Solanke and AS Roma winger Mohamed Salah this summer.
