Naby Keita finally landed his much-desired move but the club-record signing will have to wait it out until next season. Nevertheless, the RB Leipzig sensational midfielder will use his remaining time in Germany to play out his contract as he anticipates his move triggered by a £48 million buy-out clause.
“Until I join my new club, next summer, I will remain an interested supporter from a distance,” Keita who is set to take former captain Steven Gerrard’s number eight shirt, told liverpoolfc.com.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”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.[/perfectpullquote]
“Having my future resolved means I can now focus on helping RBL achieve great things this season.
“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.”
The move by Liverpool which includes an agreement to pay a premium on top of the release fee will also ward off interest from other clubs and may have cost the club less than if they pursued him at a later stage with reports that the Guinean international could still trigger a reported €55m release clause next year.
But priority remains with RB Leipzig’s ambitions to finish in top form in an attempt to challenge for league cups this season.
“It was always clear to us that Naby Keita plays with us this season – and that was not negotiable either,” chief executive Oliver Mintzlaff told dieroetenbullen.com.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”He is an outstanding player and an important part of our successful team. With the current solution, we can now fully concentrate on the exciting sporting tasks.”[/perfectpullquote]
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