Red Bull Leipzig’s sporting director Ralf Rangnick, the pantomime villain of this transfer window for many Liverpool fans, has defended his comments about Naby Keita’s ‘village’ after they were criticised heavily.
Yesterday, the German took fire at the agents and journalists behind Keita, pushing for his Liverpool move, suggesting his head had been turned by a ‘whole village in Guinea,’ despite the fact he has German agents and comes from the capital city of Conakry which has a population of 1.6m people.
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Rangnick’s explanation though, in our opinion, does little to paint him in a more positive light:
“Behind many players with an African background, and I’ve met a lot of them, there is a clan and sometimes a whole village, that lives from the help of one football player. And it’s the case that there are people behind Naby, that demand his transfer,” he told the Guardian.
Unfortunately though, the 59-year-old remained as adamant as ever in his complete refusal to sell Keita, despite the midfielder’s very public unhappiness.
“Even if there are still five more offers, this will not change our position. Perhaps not all have understood this. Even if the player were a classic car, I would not sell him as a classic car. He knows that I appreciate him a lot,” he continued.
The Independent reckon RB Leipzig could accept a third bid, but we’re just not sure Rangnick is for budging, regardless of how clearly angry the player is.
As always, it’s a waiting game.