Liverpool leading the chase to sign highly-rated Leipzig midfielder

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Goal report that Liverpool are leading the chase to sign the highly-rated midfielder Naby Keita. The reported transfer fee in the region of £50 million won’t pose a problem for the Reds, as they are prepared to smash their transfer record to capture the RB Leipzig player. However, they are aware that there is interest from other clubs, which is why there is an urgency to do a deal.

The problem lies with the Bundesliga club, as they are in no rush to sell the player and they want him to lead them into next season’s Champions League. There is cautious optimism that this deal can be completed from the Reds’ camp, but there are obstacles to overcome.

What would Keita bring to Liverpool?

RB Leipzig have been a revelation this season and have secured a second-placed finish in the Bundesliga in their first campaign in the division. They are an unpopular club, but they focus on young talent and that is why they have attracted admirers across the globe. Keita has been one of the stars of this campaign and secured a place in the Bundesliga Team of the Season as a result. Jurgen Klopp considers him to be an elite player and capable of taking this Liverpool team to the next level.

He is very much a complete midfielder, capable of playing several different roles in the centre of the park. Keita has been used in a deep-lying midfield duo this season, but it is his energy and work rate that allow him to cover the pitch. The midfielder can be used as a ball-winner, box-to-box midfielder or playmaker and he quite often carries out all three roles during the same match.

It would be easy to compare him to N’Golo Kante, but the truth is that Keita is a more complete midfielder. In the Bundesliga, he has averaged 1.53 chances created and 5.1 ball recoveries per ninety minutes, while his ability to carry the ball mean that he is excellent in transition.

Although Liverpool have some very reliable central midfielders in Emre Can, Gini Winjnaldum, Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana, Keita would provide an improvement in ability. Meanwhile, his tactical flexibility means that he isn’t being targeted for any one role in mind.

Klopp will recognise the importance of increasing competition in the squad and the arrival of the RB Leipzig midfielder would lead to an improvement across the board. The box-to-box role would suit him best in Klopp’s system. If Liverpool manage to complete a deal for him, he could be the best signing made this summer.

The number of reports that have linked Liverpool with a move for Naby Keita in recent months suggests that he is a priority target and this piece suggests that the Reds have the finances to complete a deal. However, RB Leipzig are likely to dig their heels in and that will complicate things.