Liverpool are pushing on with their bid to land RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita.

Like most Premier League clubs Liverpool are progressing with a plethora of different transfer targets, but Keita is emerging as the main target for Jurgen Klopp.

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Klopp has been tracking Keita closely for a number months and used his German connections to get background information on him and that has all resulted in him pushing the Reds hierarchy to pursue a deal.

Keita was one of Leipzig’s star turns last season as they finished second in their debut season in the Bundesliga and they initially slapped a £70million price, hoping to frighten off Liverpool – but that has not been the case.

German sources believe Keita has made it clear to Leipzig that he wants to leave for Anfield, which has seemingly seen Liverpool continue their pursuit.

Sources believe Liverpool’s bosses do not want to pay more than £50million for Keita, and ideally somewhat less than that – but they may have to go beyond this to land him given Leipzig do not need the cash.

Liverpool report back for pre-season next week and they love to have the Keita deal done, or at the very least agreed in principle.

Reaction

Bookmakers firmly believe that Liverpool will get the deal done and BetVictor make Liverpool 1/4 to land him.

BetVictor’s Head of antepost football Michael Triffitt told us: “After been popular at our opening 2/1, Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita appears to be nearing a move to Merseyside and that price has contracted to 1-4.

“Pool will need to smash the Bundesliga record to recruit him but that has not stopped punters with Liverpool been the only team they have wanted.”

We also spoke with sports journalist Paul Higham, who is well versed on all things Liverpool FC, about the potential of Naby Keita arriving: “Seems to be moving forward, with former Red Titi Camara saying his fellow Guinea star has his heart set on joining Liverpool. Leipzig will drive a hard bargain even if Keita wants to leave and whether FSG will pull the trigger on a whopping £70m deal remains to be seen.

“It’d be a huge statement by them that they’re backing Klopp all the way. Didi Hamann has seen a lot of Keita and believes he’s worth the price tag so that’s enough for me! He’ll certainly offer a bit more presence, power and some defensive strength in midfield which is a certainly an area Liverpool need to improve on for next season”

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