RB Leipzig have reportedly set their asking price for Liverpool target Naby Keita having previously been adamant that the midfielder is not for sale this summer.
The Bundesliga side would be prepared to sell the Guinean for around £70million, according to German publication Bild.
Keita sits high on Jurgen Klopp’s transfer wishlist with his apparent N’Golo Kante-like traits fuelling excitement surrounding what he could offer in the Premier League.
Though Klopp has the club’s largest ever transfer budget at his disposal, the fee Leipzig are asking for is £20million higher than the price Liverpool are supposedly willing to offer.
That said, Keita is viewed as a player capable of immediately strengthening Liverpool’s squad and taking the Reds a step closer towards being realistic title contenders.
He proved to be a standout figure in Germany’s top flight last season, playing an influential role in driving Leipzig to a second-placed finish in their first campaign since earning promotion.
While Liverpool have made their interest no secret, it remains to be seen whether Keita himself would be open to a move elsewhere with his current employers already able to offer him Champions League football.
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News of Keita’s valuation means Liverpool could be forced to pursue a £140million deal for their two main transfer targets, with Southampton also slapping a £70million price-tag on defender Virgil van Dijk.
Both have been prioritised by Klopp as he looks to bolster the spine of his team in aid of improving on the club’s fourth-placed Premier League finish in 2016/2017.
Luring the pair to Anfield would represent significant progression towards once again consistently competing with England and Europe’s elite sides.