Liverpool face big battle to land Leipzig ace Keita
Liverpool face some serious competition for the signature of RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita.
Jurgen Klopp is a big admirer of the Guinea international, who has enjoyed a fine season for the Bundesliga high-flyers and has been heavily scouted by the Reds.
However, the ECHO understands that German giants Bayern Munich are currently the front-runners to secure his services this summer.
Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid and Arsenal have also shown interest in the 22-year-old, who has impressed in a holding midfield role for Leipzig since arriving from Red Bull Salzburg in June 2016.
Represented by Bjorn Bezemer, Keita has the same agent as Liverpool winger Sadio Mane but the Reds would need to secure Champions League football to have any realistic hope of winning the race for his signature.
Klopp is keen to strengthen his midfield options this summer and Liverpool are monitoring Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s situation after it emerged that the Arsenal midfielder wants to quit the Emirates.
The England international’s current deal expires in 2018 and he has no intention of signing a contract extension as he looks to embark on a new challenge.
Back in December, Klopp dismissed as “nonsense” speculation that Liverpool were planning a £20million January swoop for Oxlade-Chamberlain. The former Southampton trainee was never on Klopp’s wish-list for the winter window, which closed without the Reds making any new additions to their squad.
The ECHO understands that Oxlade-Chamberlain is not one of the Reds’ main summer targets but if the Gunners agree to sell then he could become an option.
Source: Liverpool Echo
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