LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 20: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Naby Keita of Liverpool during a training session ahead of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 match against Real Madrid at Anfield on February 20, 2023 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
RB Leipzig no longer want to sign Naby Keita, having seen a January move blocked by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
Keita is poised to leave the Reds on a free transfer, having seen out the last of his deal at Anfield. Talk itis rife of where the 28-year-old will end up, with former club Leipzig being seen as a potential destination.
But as per journalist Christian Falk, that’s one move that definitely won’t be happening. Writing for CaughtOffside yesterday, Falk explained that although they had once been keen on a reunion with Keita, it’s no longer in the works.
Naby Keita was on Leipzig’s list for a long time,” said the journalist. “Sports director Max Eberl was still working on a return campaign in winter, but failed because of Jurgen Klopp’s veto.
“Now RB is not making a second attempt and is looking for younger alternatives.
“Naby Keita was on Leipzig’s list for a long time,” said the journalist. “Sports director Max Eberl was still working on a return campaign in winter, but failed because of Jurgen Klopp’s veto.
“Now RB is not making a second attempt and is looking for younger alternatives.”
Klopp gets it wrong with Naby
Truth be told, it would have been better for everyone had Klopp cleared a path for Leipzig to sign Keita in the winter.
Since the end of the January window, the Guinean played a grand total of three times for Liverpool. That trio of appearances adding up to just 111 minutes on the pitch.
Had Klopp allowed the approach six months ago, the Reds could have asked for a fee for Naby. It wouldn’t have perhaps even been a quarter of the £48m they paid for him, but it would have added a little to the summer kitty, while saving them half-a-year in wages.
Keita himself would surely have benefitted from the move, too. Although he was injured for pretty much the rest of the season, it would have allowed him the chance to settle back into the club he played the best football of his career at.
Come the start of the 23/24 season he may then have been ready to show Liverpool just what they’ve missed over the last five years.
As it is, Keita will begin the search for a new club from scratch. It’s hard to see just how he could land at a Champions League club like Leipzig, but you never know. Wherever he ends up going, we do wish him all the best. But this was a mistake from Jurgen
