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Liverpool seal stunning transfer for midfielder Naby Keita

ByDavid Gate|
SALZBURG, AUSTRIA - JULY 11: Naby Keita (R) of Salzburg and Dominic Gape of Southampton fight for the ball during the pre-season match for the 3rd place between FC Red Bull Salzburg and Southampton FC as part of the Audi Quattro Cup 2015 at Red Bull Arena on July 11, 2015 in Salzburg, Austria. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images)
SALZBURG, AUSTRIA - JULY 11: Naby Keita (R) of Salzburg and Dominic Gape of Southampton fight for the ball during the pre-season match for the 3rd place between FC Red Bull Salzburg and Southampton FC as part of the Audi Quattro Cup 2015 at Red Bull Arena on July 11, 2015 in Salzburg, Austria. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images)
Naby Keita transfer
Naby Keita transfer

Liverpool have signed one of their top targets Naby Keita from RB Leipzig. He will spend the year in Germany before joining in July 2018.

It’s 307 days away, but Naby Keita is going to be a Red. And it feels great to say it.

The Guinean midfielder has been one of the club’s primary targets all summer. Jurgen Klopp loves him. He views Keita as a generational talent. The kind of player that will dominate the Premier League and Europe for years to come and he is going to be ours.

After failing to negotiate a move for Keita this summer we were told we would go back from him next year when his £48 million release clause kicks in. The saga was long and painful for many fans who began to give up hope in the club’s ability to negotiate big transfers.

Yet in a stunning move Liverpool have met that release fee now and paid an additional premium to do so this year. This makes Naby Keita Liverpool’s record-breaking transfer. He is having a medical today and will join the club on July 1st  2018.

This is a huge achievement for the club. It is an example of significant investment and long-term planning. Two things the fans have not seen enough of. This news comes hot on the heels of a bid for Monaco attacker Thomas Lemar. That move looks complicated and they may not be enough time to see it completed before the window closes on Thursday.

The mood around the club is buoyant with news of big deals coming in the aftermath of Liverpool’s 4-0 evisceration of Arsenal. There is still work to do in the transfer window – another defender is essential – but things are looking good for Liverpool heading into the international break.

Next: Klopp says new signings will make him a 'very happy man'.