An exhausting trend of mixed reports surrounding Naby Keita has been at hand to highlight a potentially decisive detail to Liverpool’s pursuit of the midfielder.
Conflicting suggestions have recently led fans to believe that both a third bid has already been made and rejected for the Guinean, but also that a third bid is only currently being considered.
What has seemingly become clear, though, is the idea Liverpool are gradually giving up on the deal and succumbing to RB Leipzig’s insistence that Keita simply won’t be sold.
Unless the Bundesliga club alter their stance, the Reds will drop their interest for now and instead return next season when Keita’s £48million release clause can be activated, according to the Times’ Paul Joyce.
Liverpool are now set to divert their focus towards new midfield targets as Jurgen Klopp strives to fulfil his wish to strengthen the spine of the team.
A failure to lure Keita in this transfer window would mark a disappointing setback, although there remains a confidence his wish to secure an Anfield switch will set the club in good stead to strike a deal next summer.
The fixation on a deal for the 22-year-old has somewhat disguised any potential alternatives, thereby making for an interesting couple of weeks in the transfer window- providing reports are true and Liverpool do look elsewhere.
Klopp’s notable spending power makes it incredibly frustrating to see the club still face complications when trying to sign top targets.
That said, fans have good reason to believe this is by no means the last of the Keita rumours.
SEE MORE:
Naby Keita’s cryptic Liverpool hint sparks fan frenzy