Liverpool get Naby Keita price as Virgil van Dijk slips from view
By David Gate
Liverpool receive encouraging news over RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita while Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk slips from view.
Liverpool will be encouraged to hear the latest comments from RB Leipzig Director of Sports Ralf Rangnick. In speaking about Liverpool transfer target Naby Keita he confirms that they received two bids from Anfield. The first for £57 million and the second for £66 million. A rumored third bid was never submitted.
Rangnick then goes on to mention next summer’s £48 million release clause in the Guinean’s contract. He then speculates that the club would have to seriously consider an offer in the region £73 million as the financial benefit would be worth losing him a year earlier.
The player has been keen on a move to Anfield all summer and Liverpool have received encouragement to bid from his representatives and from with the club itself. It now appears that their bids were not enough. The back room politics and posturing from both sides is a frustration for fans but now a regular part of modern transfer deals.
More from Rush The Kop
- Set to return, Virgil Van Dijk facing heavy criticism back home
- Liverpool making late comebacks all the rage once again
- Wolves tilt gives Klopp opportunity to tinker with lineup following international duty
- Players to watch in the matchup with Wolves
- Predicting Liverpool’s Next Five Premier League Fixtures
While there has been good news regarding Keita, the outlook on a deal for Southampton captain Virgil van Dijk is not so good. Southampton are maintaining their public stance that he is not for sale while privately courting offers from Chelsea and Man City.
The player wants to come to Liverpool but Southampton are adamant they won’t sell him to Anfield. It would be a real kick in the teeth for their fans.
The only hope for the Reds is that no firm offers come from Chelsea or Man City. The Stamford Bridge side look most likely to make a bid. Antonio Conte is keen to replace Gary Cahill in his first team. The Englishman was sent off on Saturday leading to the Blues shock loss to Burnley. The current center backs at Chelsea do not allow Conte to play four at the back. Van Dijk would give them that option.