Leipzig's Naby Deco Keita celebrates the 4:0 goal during the Bundesliga soccer match between RB Leipzig and Darmstadt 98 at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Germany, 1 April 2017. (EMBARGO CONDITIONS - ATTENTION: Due to the accreditation guidlines, the DFL only permits the publication and utilisation of up to 15 pictures per match on the internet and in online media during the match.) Photo: Jan Woitas/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa

Naby Keita would cost Liverpool £50 million this summer – reports

Reports on Friday suggest Liverpool would need to spend at least £50 million to sign midfielder Naby Keita from RB Leipzig this summer.

Keita is said to be a top target, along with Southampton centre-back Virgil van Dijk, but both would smash the Reds’ current £35 million transfer record.

Leipzig chief executive Oliver Mintzlaff is quoted saying: “We have decided that we will not sell any player from our starting line-up.

“Ralf Rangnick (sporting director) told this to our team at the end of the season. We will keep our team together and keep on developing.”

Mintzlaff’s comments echo the report by This Is Anfield’s Chris Williams last week, who explained that Liverpool could be wasting their time pursuing Keita, and his teammate Timo Werner, as RB do not need the income from Premier League clubs and are extremely ambitious.

Keita, 22, would seemingly be an ideal signing for Liverpool, but the negotiations may not be simple and the price could eventually scupper a deal.

Will Liverpool continue to pursue one of Jurgen Klopp‘s main targets, or move on to less priority players such as Arsenal‘s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain?

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