RB Leipzig on Naby Keïta joining Liverpool in January

RB Leipzig have responded to speculation which suggests that Liverpool may try and bring forward the signing of Naby Keïta in January.

The 22-year-old midfielder isn’t due to complete his transfer to Anfield until the summer but with Liverpool looking like they could do with some quality injecting into the team as quickly as possible, there have been reports that boss Jürgen Klopp would see if Leipzig could be persuaded to do business sooner.

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However, Leipzig sporting director Ralf Rangnick has rubbished the idea and insists Keïta must remain with them until the end of the season.

“Even if we should not reach the knockout stages of Champions League, it would make no sense to allow Naby to join Liverpool earlier,” said Rangnick.

“We want to qualify for Europe again and we need Naby for that.”

 

Rangnick has also pledged that the club will be standing by Keïta despite his recent poor disciplinary record and an ongoing legal matter which has resulted in him being fined a reported £365,000 by the authorities for allegedly submitting a fake driver’s licence to the police.

“We, of course, have Naby’s back,” added Rangnick, who refused to comment further on the court case.