Liverpool have confirmed a deal with RB Leipzig that will see the Naby Keita move to the Reds next summer, reports the Guardian.
The midfielder has been a top target for the club for much of the summer, though despite pursuing him rigoursly, it looked as though Liverpool would miss out on the 22-year-old.
However, Keita underwent a medical on Monday at Liverpool and the youngster will now join the Merseyside outfit next year.
Liverpool are believed to have paid the £48m release clause that would have become active next summer, plus a premium on top of that to wrap up the signing of the RB Leipzig star.
Naby Keita: Has won possession in the midfield third more times (188) than any other Bundesliga player since the start of the 2016/17 season pic.twitter.com/4fZ2K3MUiK
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) August 28, 2017
Barcelona had been credited with an interest in the Guinea international, which forced the club’s hand to thrash out a deal that will suit all parties, as it now means RB Leipzig can retain the services of Keita for their debut Champions League campaign.
Keita will now officially become a Liverpool player on July 1st, though the club are still pursuing other targets in the transfer window.
Klopp is thought to be hoping to wrap up the signings of Thomas Lemar and Virgil van Dijk, from Monaco and Southampton respectively, in the coming days.
