Liverpool will reportedly shelve their plans to swoop for RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita this summer, and will revisit their interest next year.
The 22-year-old midfielder is coming off the back of an impressive season with the Bundesliga outfit, having played a pivotal role in getting them into the Champions League.
His form last year peaked the interest of Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp, and as reported by The Telegraph, they’ve bid up to £66m for the Guinea international but with little success in terms of reaching an agreement with Leipzig.
With no intention to increase that offer, it appears as though Liverpool are now ready to drop their interest in Keita for the time being and take advantage of a clause in his contract.
That clause will allow them to sign him for £48m next summer, as per the report, and so while it will undoubtedly be a source of real frustration for the Reds that they will have to wait 12 months, it makes sense for various reasons.
Leipzig were evidently serious when they said that no key players would be sold this summer, and Liverpool would have wanted all the pieces in place this month ahead of returning to the Champions League and fighting for the Premier League title in the upcoming campaign.
Instead, Keita will not arrive until next summer now, provided that Liverpool are still interested in him at that point, as Klopp may well switch his focus elsewhere for a more immediate solution or any dip in form for the midfielder this season could warrant a change of plan.