Liverpool forced to abandon chase for transfer target Naby Keita as Jurgen Klopp gives up hope

LIVERPOOL have abandoned their chase for RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita.

The Reds were hoping to break a club-record to land the Guinea international in a £70million deal. 

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But the Bundesliga side have stood firm in their decision not to cash in on their star player leaving Jurgen Klopp with no choice but to pursuit other targets.

Keita is thought to be furious at Leipzig's reluctance to let him talk to the Premier League club.

The 22-year-old caused fury amongst the squad when he lunged into a dangerous tackle on team-mate Diego Demme which forced the club to cancel a training session.

And reports in Germany claimed that Keita is often on his own in the training camp and seems unmotivated during sessions.

But is hasn't deterred Leipzig to sell Keita after the club's managing director Oliver Mintzlaff told Bild: "€75m (£66.9m) is not enough to buy Keita. He is World Class, he stays.

"RB Leipzig is looking forward to the next season together with Naby Keita.”

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Liverpool will now be hoping Keita does everything in his power to force a move to the Kop.

His future at RB Leipzig was further fuelled following comments by club chief Ralf Rangnick. 

Rangnick slammed the player and his entourage by saying his head has been turned towards a transfer by “a whole village in Guinea”.

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