Naby Keita will '100% stay' at Leipzig says coach after Guinean plays in LondonLeipzig coach says chance of midfielder leaving is null
Liverpool target Naby Keita will “100 per cent” stay at RB Leipzig this summer, their coach Ralph Hasenhuttl has confirmed.
The Reds' pursuit of the Guinean midfielder has been one of the sagas of the summer, but it looks to be an end now.
Having seen two bids, worth £57m and £66m, rejected by the German club, Liverpool have declined to return with a third despite Keita's desire to move to Merseyside.Instead, it appears that Jurgen Klopp will wait until next summer, when the player would be available for as little as £48m, to land his man.
Speaking after Leipzig's defeat to Sevilla at the Emirates Cup in London on Saturday, Hasenhuttl confirmed that he expected Keita to remain with the Bundesliga club.
Asked about Liverpool ending their interest for this summer, he replied: “That is good.
"The chance (of Keita leaving) is "null'. It's 100 per cent clear that Naby will play this year in Leipzig.
"At the beginning of the transfer period that we said we would start with the same team and of the players we had last year no-one will go.
"That would be our answer now also. For us, everyone can see how important Naby Keita is for our game.
“It's 100% sure that he will be with RB Leipzig in the Champions League. They will finish their transfer activities and that is okay for me."
Hasenhuttl refused to confirm the rumoured £48m release clause in Keita's contract, which would become active next summer.
He admitted, though, that he did not expect interest in the 22-year-old to disappear any time son.
"I don't tell you about the details of his contract,” he said. “You have to ask other people.
"Liverpool will not be the only one (to pursue Keita next summer) I think. Until next summer we keep the door closed and then we have a look."
Hasenhuttl added: "When you play such a famous season as last year it is normal players get interest, that other clubs are watching us is normal.
"I said for all the players it is very important to stay together as it's the first time we play Champions League and that is a new situation for everyone of us.
"We are a very young (group of) players and I think for them it is very important to play the first year in the Champions League as a team. He is more focused on us and has more fun now than last year.
"He knows this season it will be fantastic for us.
"It is the first time Champions League and also for Naby Keita it is a great thing. I think he is more focused than last year."
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