How Naby Keita could join Liverpool in January
Liverpool have reportedly been given encouragement they can sign Naby Keita this month – provided they pay RB Leipzig a premium of at least £13million.
The Reds agreed last August a deal in excess of £50m that would see Keita spend another season in the Bundesliga before moving to Anfield in the summer.
However, Jurgen Klopp has been exploring the possibility of moving forward the Guinea international midfielder's arrival to this transfer window following the £142m departure of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona.
Leipzig have been resistant to that suggestion given they are challenging for Champions League qualification and are preparing for the Europa League knockout stages.
But according to German news outlet Bild, the Bundesliga side are now softening their stance.
The report states Leipzig would consider allowing Keita to leave this month for a fee of between 15m and 20m euros (£13m-£17.5m).
It suggests Leipzig need to generate extra revenue in order to not fall foul of UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules.
Only last week, Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff played down claims Keita could leave.
"Neither Naby nor his agent have made the request to leave the club in the winter," he said.
Keita, though, has been criticised recently for his performances, with the Bild report stating he is now being distanced by his Leipzig team-mates.
Keita would be cup-tied for the Champions League but would be free to play in both the Premier League and FA Cup.
Source: Liverpool Echo
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