Liverpool have confirmed a deal is in place that will see Naby Keita move to Anfield from RB Leipzig next summer.
The Reds have been tracking the 22-year-old for some time now and when it seemed a deal was dead in the water, the Merseyside outfit have announced his arrival, with Keita remaining with the Bundesliga side for the 2017/18 season.
“Liverpool Football Club can confirm they have reached an agreement with RB Leipzig for the future transfer of Naby Keita,” a statement read on the club’s official website.
“The Reds have agreed a deal with the German club and the midfielder that will see the 22-year-old move to Anfield on July 1, 2018 following the conclusion of the current season.
“Keita, a Guinea international, joined Leipzig from Red Bull Salzburg in 2016 and scored eight goals in 31 Bundesliga appearances last term to help them to a second-place finish.”
On the move to Liverpool, Keita said: “I am delighted that an agreement has been reached which will allow me to join Liverpool Football Club next summer, when I will become part of a project that excites me greatly.
“My commitment to RBL remains absolute for the remainder of my time at the club. I have given my all every time I have worn the shirt – that will be the case until the final whistle, in my final appearance.
“Having my future resolved means I can now focus on helping RBL achieve great things this season. Until I join my new club, next summer, I will remain an interested supporter from a distance.”
Naby Keita: Only Ousmane Dembele (103) has completed more dribbles than Keita (93) in the Bundesliga since August 2016 @LFC pic.twitter.com/d6XudvAevD
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) August 29, 2017
It is believed that Liverpool have paid the £48m release clause that would have come into effect next summer and a premium on top of that that could increase the fee to £68m, depending on how RB Leipzig fare in the Bundesliga this season.
