Liverpool are ready to shelve their interest in RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita until next summer, reports The Daily Telegraph.
The Bundesliga giants have maintained they have no interest in selling the Guinea international and Liverpool are slowly coming round to the idea of missing out on their top transfer target this summer.
Liverpool’s latest £66m bid was rejected by Leipzig and Jurgen Klopp is ready to drop their interest until next summer when they will be able to sign Keita for £48m when a release clause in his existing deal becomes active.
Leipzig has no interest in selling any of their star players this summer as they gear up for their first ever involvement in the Champions League this season and even hope Keita will honour his contract, which is due to expire in 2021, despite the fact there are suggestions he wants to join Liverpool.
While Liverpool are confident they will sign Keita next summer, it by no means guarantees he will join. With further exposure in the Champions League, added to the fact he will be available for just £48m, other clubs will likely be interested in the Leipzig star.
Keita took the Bundesliga by storm last season, finishing the campaign with eight goals and seven assists from his box-to-box midfield role. Not only that, but he also won possession in the midfield third more times than any other player (180).
