Liverpool beat Barcelona to the signing of Naby Keita because the Spanish club 'didn't try as hard', reveals RB Leipzig chief

• e-mail

RB Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff has revealed how Liverpool beat Barcelona to the signing of midfielder Naby Keita.

The Reds saw off competition from Barcelona to land the Guinean star in the summer with the player due to arrive at Anfield at the end of this season in a club record deal.

The Premier League outfit pursued the 22-year-old all summer and eventually agreed to a deal worth £55m in the closing days of the transfer window.

Naby Keita (right) celebrates after scoring in RB Leipzig's win over Monaco on Tuesday

Oliver Mintzlaff revealed Barcelona didn't try as hard as Liverpool to sign the midfielder 

And speaking to Sport Bild, Mintzlaff confirmed that the Liverpool were not the only club attempting to sign the highly-rated youngster.

Asked whether Jurgen Klopp's determination to get his man had been key to the transfer, the Leipzig chief said: 'That's right, even more so because Barcelona were also interested in Naby Keita.

'This was confirmed to us by Barcelona, but obviously they didn't try as hard as Liverpool.'

Mintzlaff also admitted that Keita had pushed hard to make the move to Merseyside in the summer but the German club resisted as they were wary of setting a precedent.

Liverpool will complete the signing of Keita (centre) for a club-record fee next year

The 22-year-old slots home his team's fourth goal of the night against Monaco on Tuesday

'Keita wanted the transfer this summer,' he added. 'But (sporting director) Ralf Rangnick had told the team that we will not sell any players (at that time).

'This was not lip service - it was set in stone. Had we released Keita, other players might have come up with a similar idea.

'It (the Liverpool deal) gave the player more security, but also left us with a significantly higher transfer fee.'

The player has had a steady campaign so far, contributing three goals and one assist in 15 appearances, including a first Champions League strike in Tuesday's 4-1 win over Monaco. 

Reds manager Jurgen Klopp's determination to get his man was key to the signing