Liverpool have had an opening €65m bid for Naby Keita rejected, but Chris Williams writes in Fussballstadt that the wheels of the transfer are now in motion.
His report is being solidified by a similar exclusive in Bild, so when two separate stories from different countries confirm each other (so long as one isn’t just copying the other…) the article has more weight.
Williams claims that while Ralf Rangnick is still adamant RB Leipzig should rebuff any attempts from outsiders to buy their players, other members of the board reckon a slightly improved offer would be too hard to turn down.
What’s more, these members appreciate Keita’s desperation to move and respect the fact he hasn’t disrespected RB by forcing a switch or handing in a transfer request.
Williams writes:
Seemingly though there is now a split within the higher echelon of the club. Although RB Leipzig do not need to finance new arrivals with sales, there is an opinion that an improved offer of €80m would be too ‘ridiculous’ to turn down. The Guinean only arrived at the RedBull Arena 12 months ago for €15m, the fact Liverpool are prepared to offer over five times that value—for a player only proven over one season—has started to appeal to businessmen within the club.
Keïta has spoken privately in great detail to personnel within his management agency and the 22-year-old is said to be “desperate” to play for Jürgen Klopp. Should this materialise he would pair up with friend and other Arena11Sports client, Sadio Mané.
Unlike Mané — who forced a move from Red Bull Salzburg to Southampton — Keïta has chosen to remain polite and diplomatic throughout all dealings with Leipzig, impressing many within the Saxony boardroom.
Bild suggest that our second offer could be submitted early next week, so until then, we patiently wait…
We expect Rangnick to come out again and issue a firm statement, but crucially the decision is not solely his.
If Liverpool are prepared to pay €80m for a 22-year-old with one year’s top level experience, they’d likely be foolish to turn that down anyway…
But so long as Jurgen Klopp gets his man, the fee isn’t our problem.