LIVERPOOL HAVE CONFIRMED a deal to sign RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita in the summer of 2018.
The Reds have been chasing the Guinea international all summer and have finally secured the services of Keita, who will officially join the club on 1 July next year.
As was reported yesterday, Keita will arrive at Anfield for a club-record fee and although the figure has been undisclosed, it is expected to top Liverpool’s previous transfer record of £35 million they paid to sign Andy Carroll in 2011.
Keita, a box-to-box midfielder who has been a longstanding target for Jurgen Klopp, underwent a medical at Melwood yesterday and Liverpool announced an agreement had been reached for his transfer this morning.
“I am delighted that an agreement has been reached which will allow me to join Liverpool Football Club next summer, when I will become part of a project that excites me greatly,” he said.
“My commitment to RBL remains absolute for the remainder of my time at the club. I have given my all every time I have worn the shirt – that will be the case until the final whistle, in my final appearance.
“Having my future resolved means I can now focus on helping RBL achieve great things this season. Until I join my new club, next summer, I will remain an interested supporter from a distance.”
Keita began his career with Horoya in his home city of Conakry and spent a season at French second-tier side Istres before joining Red Bull Salzburg in 2014. Salzburg sold him to their German sister club RB Leipzig in June last year.
The 22-year-old made 31 Bundesliga appearances last season, scoring eight goals, as he helped Leipzig to a second place finish.
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