Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp jokes he will make €300m bid for Naby Keita as pursuit of midfielder comes to an end

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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has taken a light-hearted approach to his desire to bring Naby Keita to Anfield, joking he will now bid €300m for the Leipzig midfielder. 

The Reds have had numerous bids for the Guinean midfielder turned down this summer, with Leipzig reluctant to part with their prized asset.

Liverpool have since ended their pursuit for the 22-year-old this summer, but that hasn't stopped Klopp from seeing the lighter side of the failed attempt.

Jurgen Klopp has joked that Liverpool will make a €300m for midfielder Naby Keita

Speaking following Liverpool's recent pre-season victory over Hertha Berlin Klopp joked with Sky Deutschland: 'Our next offer for Keita is €300m!'

Keita is believed to be available for £48million next summer, due to a release-clause coming into play.

But Leipzig have sternly refused to cash in on the midfielder in advance, with head coach Ralph Hasenhuttl confirming Keita will stay.

'The chance [of Keïta leaving] is null,' said Hasenhüttl. 

Keita has been the subject of several failed bids from Liverpool this summer

The Guinean midfielder recently turned out in London to represent his side in the Emirates Cup

'It's 100 per cent clear that Naby will play this year in Leipzig. At the beginning of the transfer period we said we would start with the same team and of the players we had last year no one will go. That would be our answer now also. 

Reds boss Klopp was in high spirits after seeing his side run out 3-0 victors at the Olympiastadion.

New boys Dominic Solanke and Mohamed Salah were among the goals, while recent acquisition Andy Robertson put in a solid performance on his debut at left-back.

Georginio Wijnaldum also bagged as Liverpool overran their opposition in every area of the field. 

Liverpool now remain in Germany where they will come up against reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich on Sunday evening.