Naby Keita will NOT sign new deal with RB Leipzig and is set to join Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool next summer
Bundesliga side admit star will not pen a new deal as Reds lie in wait to take advantage of £48m release clause
LIVERPOOL have been boosted in their pursuit of Naby Keita – but still look unlikely to sign the RB Leipzig star until next summer.
The Reds have been chasing the Guinea international midfielder all summer.
Jurgen Klopp has seen two bids rejected for the 22-year-old, the second being £66million, as the Bundesliga outfit stood firm.
The Premier League giants have been told he is not for sale at any price.
Ex-Red Bell Salzburg man Keita is under contract in Germany until 2020.
However, Leipzig sporting director Ralf Rangnick has admitted he is unlikely to sign an extension with the club.
That means he will be available for £48m in twelve months due to a clause in his current contract.
And that will put Klopp in prime position to launch another move in a year.
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Rangnick told Sport Bild: “I am not currently assuming that we will be able to extend his contract prematurely.
“I can assure you that Naby is playing with us this season.
“All other scenarios also depend on how we do this season, how Naby plays himself and so on.”
Even though Klopp will now look elsewhere to bolster his squad, he is still expected to take advantage of the clause when it kicks in.
Keita only moved to Leipzig at the beginning of last season and scored eight times as he helped his newly-promoted team finish second in the top-flight.
He has won 25 caps for his country and scored three goals.
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