With Mohamed Salah now aboard, who will be the next player Liverpool add this summer transfer window? On Friday, the dominant LFC transfer rumor circulating in the internet pertained to RB Leipzig’s Naby Keita.
How far along this deal has progressed, or not progressed, depends on what you read and what outlets you trust and which publications you deem to be fake news. There does seem to be a consensus though that Leipzig are demanding about £70 million, or 80 million Euro for Keita.
The Daily Mirror claims that Liverpool are ready to place a bid for the African midfielder.
The Mirror writes that Leipzig: “do not want to sell the £70million-rated Keita on the back of his excellent first season in the Bundesliga. Chief executive Oliver Mintzlaff claims it would be “irresponsible” to cash in on the Guinea international before their first Champions League campaign.”
The £70 million is certainly a very high price tag, but remember a.) the transfer market in general continues to be further inflated this summer and b.) the Reds will have more money to spend this summer because they’ll have the added revenue from returning to UEFA Champions League now.
The Times of London also claim that Liverpool are preparing to bid, and with an amount that would be a new club record transfer fee. The Times states:
“During discussions, the German club have said that the Guinea midfielder will not be sold this summer, but Liverpool will seek to establish whether that position is final.”
Throwing cold water on this narrative, or proverbially taking the punch bowl away once the party starts is ESPN FC who write that Anfield has not even made a formal approach, let alone placed a bid. The Bristol based website published the following sentence: “sources have told ESPN FC that, as of Friday morning, Liverpool have yet to follow up their interest with either a transfer bid or formal approach to Leipzig.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes to WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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