Liverpool round-up: Keita interest update; Coutinho going nowhere; West Ham react to Lanzini interest

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Liverpool will not continue to pursue their interest in Red Bull Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita this summer, say the Mirror. They believe that the Reds are aware of a £48 million release clause which will allow him to leave next summer, with the club now prepared to wait after the Bundesliga outfit refused to sell.

Keita was clearly a top target for the club this summer and it is a huge dent in their ambitions that they have missed out. Now, Jurgen Klopp will have to decide whether he wishes to make a move for an alternative or just be patient and keep his current midfield options until making a move in 12 months time.

In better news, Goal insist that Liverpool will not sell playmaker Philippe Coutinho this summer. Strongly linked with a move to Barcelona amid speculation of a potential departure for Neymar, it’s reported that Coutinho’s entourage have been left surprised by claims from Spain saying that Coutinho could force a move.

Coutinho is happy on Merseyside and has no desire to force a move through, with the Reds, like Leipzig, refusing to sell at any price. It could be a long four weeks until the transfer window closes for Liverpool fans but they will be desperate to retain their number ten for the 2017/18 season.

After reports emerged on Thursday that Liverpool could target Manuel Lanzini as a replacement for Philippe Coutinho if he is to leave, the London Evening Standard believe that West Ham would reject any approach. The 24-year-old is the Hammers’ key man at the heart of their attack and they will not allow him to leave.

That is not a surprise given the investment that the club have made in the likes of Joe Hart, Pablo Zabaleta and Javier Hernandez this summer. Liverpool may not move for the Argentina international unless Coutinho is sold, with a number of hypotheticals in the way of the Reds even making a move for Lanzini.