Having failed to persuade RB Leipzig to sell 22-year-old midfielder Naby Keita, Liverpool have triggered his £48m release clause for next summer. The Reds, fresh from hammering Arsenal 4 – 0 at the weekend, are to pay Die Roten Bullen a premium according to the Daily Mail.
After passing a medical on Monday, the midfielder agreed personal terms and moves to Anfield on 1st July 2018.
Having seen bids up to and including £70m rejected this summer, it’s expected that the fee paid to Leipzig will be significantly lower than those levels. Estimates range from £5m to £12m with Liverpool assuming a position of power knowing that if necessary, they only had to pay the release clause value.
However, with a number of other clubs interested – rumoured to include Barcelona – the Reds chose to act this summer and ensure that they landed their player.
Keita was involved in an unseemly fracas during an open training session during the pre-season and it was expected that the player would leave last season’s Bundesliga runners-up as a result. However, the incident was smoothed over and knowing Keita was determined to leave, RB decided to act in their best interests by sealing a deal now.
It gives the club time to scour Europe for a replacement as well as knowledge of how much they will receive for one of the continent’s most talked-about midfield talents.
