Liverpool have called off their pursuit of Naby Keita but intend on signing the RB Leipzig midfielder next summer, reports The Daily Mail.
Jurgen Klopp was willing to break the club’s transfer record to land the Guinea international but the Premier League outfit have failed to break Leipzig’s resolve.
Liverpool’s last bid of £66m was rejected by the Bundesliga side and Leipzig have maintained all summer that neither Keita nor Emil Forsberg were available for transfer ahead.
Despite the fact Keita has a £45m release clause in his contract that will become active in 12 months time, Leipzig have turned down the chance to make considerably more than that this summer as they are not in a position where they need the money.
Leipzig want to make a good crack of Champions League football this season and Liverpool have conceded defeat in their pursuit of the 22-year-old, although will rekindle their interest for the midfielder next summer.
Keita won possession in the midfield third of the pitch more times than any other Bundesliga player last season (180).
