Liverpool told Naby Keita is comfortable at RB Leipzig
Naby Keita feels comfortable at RB Leipzig, according his coach Ralph Hasenhuttl, who has reiterated the German club's stance over the midfielder's future.
Liverpool have made Keita their first-choice target this summer and saw a £57million bid rejected last week.
The Reds will return with a higher bid in the coming week, despite Leipzig's public insistence the Guinean is not for sale.
The club's sporting director Ralf Rangnick, who is reportedly on holiday, has previously said there is “no pain threshold” that would see them part with the 22-year-old.
Having finished second to Bayern Munich last season, Leipzig have seen interest in both Keita and Swedish playmaker Emil Forsberg, who has been linked with a move to AC Milan.
Hasenhuttl admits he is flattered by the attraction his top stars are gaining from across Europe, but insists both are happy to remain at their current side.
"You can tell them (the interested clubs) that they feel very comfortable and look forward to the new season,” he told German magazine Kicker. “They know very well what they have with us.
“Our goal is to become a large and established club.
“It is a huge compliment for us that we have aroused such desires.
"But it is not the purpose and purpose of our journey to let our players get their first offer.
“Our goal is to become a large and established club, and that is what we have done this summer, a significant step towards it."
Despite Husenhuttl's comments, Keita is keen on a move to Anfield and wants to link up with Jurgen Klopp on Merseyside.
Klopp has been frustrated in his attempts to bring both Keita and Virgil van Dijk to the club this summer, although he has managed to break the club record fee with the £36.9million capture of Mohamed Salah.
Although there is no current alternative to Keita, Klopp has admitted at some stage Liverpool may have to look at a Plan B if top targets can't be landed.
“It’s all possible. It’s more likely doing that than doing nothing,” Klopp said.
Source: Liverpool Echo
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