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Liverpool transfer blow as Bundesliga boss rejects £66m bid for powerhouse
By Abigail Withey
Liverpool have been dealt a blow after Red Bull Leipzig owner Dietrich Mateschitz confirmed that the club had rejected a staggering €75 million (£66 million) bid for midfield powerhouse Naby Keita.
The Bundesliga owner also stated that the club would not be letting the 22-year-old leave this summer as the chief revealed that he would not allow a transfer just to make money for the club.
During an interview with Sportbild the Leipzig boss confirmed that and offer had been made: “Lately we got a €75 million offer for Naby Keïta. No way! He has a contract and he will complete it.
“To sell him would not only be a mistrust proof for our fans, but also a wrong sign for our other players, such as Timo Werner, who is also in demand.
“We also do not sell players who are still under contract, just to make a lot of money.”
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The German media outlet claim that Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has shown great interest in the young midfielder, and the huge bid is very likely to have come from the red side of Merseyside.
Even if it didn’t, the news means it’s very likely to Klopp’s top summer target will not be going anywhere this summer.
Keita joined the Bundesliga side from Austrian outfit RB Salzburg last summer in a four-year-deal for a fee close to £13million.
During his debut season with the club the Guinea international impressed throughout his 32 performances as he scored eight goals and provided just as many assists.
However, it looks as though he will continue to compete in the Bundesliga rather than join the Premier League to play with Liverpool.
Klopp has already spent close to £36 million during the transfer window on winger Mohamed Salah from Roma, with Chelsea starlet Dominic Solanke arriving on a free transfer.
The Anfield boss will be looking to bolster his squad ahead of the upcoming campaign as he bids to do better than last season’s fourth-placed Premier League finish.
In other Liverpool transfer news, their midfielder is likely to face a summer exit.
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