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News
Naby Keita wants Liverpool future despite agent talks with Atletico Madrid over transfer
According to , Naby Keita wants to stay and fight for his future at Liverpool, despite recent claims of the midfielder’s agent holding talks with Atletico Madrid over a move to the La Liga champions.
Keita only started Premier League appearances this season after another campaign was written off due to , having been sidelined at points in every term since arriving in 2018.
His Merseyside future is now likely to hinge on what offers Liverpool could receive in the off-season, with it expected that the Reds will be forced to accept a significant hit on the paid to RB Leipzig for his transfer.
Keita would prefer to stay and compete for a more prominent role in Liverpool’s engine room next season, when Jurgen Klopp could be without a regular piece of his plans in Georginio Wijnaldum with the Dutchman of his contract next month.
That’s despite reports by earlier this month that claimed Keita had offered himself to Diego Simeone’s newly-crowned La Liga champions Atletico Madrid, as the 26-year-old did not see his future being on Merseyside if Klopp remains in charge.
The Guinea international’s representative was also said to have held discussions with the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium hierarchy to sound out any interest in their client, but were informed that he did not currently rank highly among their potential targets.
Simeone appreciates what Keita is capable of if the former RB Leipzig man can stay fit, but the Colchoneros leadership have doubts over the likelihood of him developing an increased valuation in seasons to come.
TBR’s view:
Keita has shown in flashes what he is capable of producing and Klopp would surely like to see that potential come to the forefront next season with Wijnaldum likely leaving, so long as the £120,000-per-week () dynamo can finally stay fit for a full campaign.
Klopp has previously sung Keita’s praises, noting last year via the that he was getting ‘getting better and better’ and stating earlier this month via the that he sees the 26-year-old’s long-term future being at Anfield.
If a rift has emerged between Klopp and Keita, then a transfer may suit both parties best, but if both are open to continuing – given the suggestions of a U-turn from the midfielder – Liverpool should give it a go unless an offer simply too good to refuse arrives in the next few months.