Liverpool round-up: Keita interest shelved; club wait for Dutchman; winger’s Anfield career over

Add as preferred source on Google

Liverpool are set for a huge transfer blow, as The Times say that they are likely to shelve their interest in Red Bull Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita until next summer. The Bundesliga side have already rejected two bids for the Guinean international, worth £57 million and £66 million.

Now, it seems that they may be forced to turn their attentions elsewhere as they do not believe that a deal this summer can be possible. Keita has clearly been their top priority this summer and it could put a massive dent in Jurgen Klopp’s hopes for the season now that a move for the 22-year-old seems unlikely.

Another top target is Southampton defender Virgil Van Dijk. The Daily Mail state that the Reds are waiting until they are invited to make an offer, though, as the club are concerned after accusations of tapping up earlier this summer. It is currently unclear when the Saints will do that, if at all.

That invitation could come sooner rather than later after the Saints opted to leave the Dutch international out of their 25 man squad to travel on a pre-season tour of France. Van Dijk is reportedly training alone, having told the club that he wants to leave the south coast to move to Anfield.

One player likely to be going the other way is winger Lazar Markovic. Jurgen Klopp has revealed to the Liverpool Echo that the former Benfica man has no future at the club and is expected to leave this summer, providing a suitor can be found. The manager said:

“With Lazar, it’s no secret that if he finds a club then we will negotiate. It was like this last year too. He’s a really good player. I like him as a person. He’s now fit and another one who is in the best shape since I’ve known him. Before he had problems with his groin but now he’s good. There will be a club out there who needs him.”

Markovic has been sent out on several loan spells in recent years at Fenerbahce, Sporting Lisbon and Hull City, and the 23-year-old is now likely to leave on a permanent deal.