Confirmed: Liverpool Announce £55m Deal Agreed To Sign Bundesliga Star

Managers are now pressing ahead with their plans for the final days of the summer transfer window so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip from around the globe. Today, Liverpool have agreed a deal to sign Naby Keita…

Liverpool have confirmed on Liverpoolfc.com that the club have reached an agreement with RB Leipzig to sign Naby Keita on July 1, 2018.

Jurgen Klopp has been after Keita all summer after identifying the midfielder as one of his prime transfer targets but Liverpool initially found it difficult to agree terms with a stubborn Leipzig side.

The Bundesliga outfit refused to sell the Guinea international this summer and rejected several offers from Liverpool last month despite the player making it clear he wanted to leave.

It left the Merseysiders facing the possibility of having to compete with a number of other top European clubs for his signature when Keita’s £48m buyout clause becomes active next summer.

However, news broke yesterday that Liverpool had reached an agreement to sign Keita at a premium in 2018 with the Liverpool Echo claiming the player underwent a medical in Wilmslow on Monday afternoon.

Liverpool have now released a statement on their official website confirming they have an agreement in place with Leipzig to sign Keita on July 1, 2018, with the midfielder telling Liverpoolfc.com:

“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.”

Liverpool haven’t disclosed any details about the fee but the Telegraph claim they have paid a £7m premium on top of Keita’s £48m buyout clause to secure his signature next summer.

It means the Reds have broken their transfer record for the second time this summer as the £55m deal eclipses the £36m paid to Roma for the signing of Mohamed Salah.

It’s a shrewd piece of business by Liverpool as they’ve effectively secured one of the best all-round midfielders in Europe at a very reasonable price without having to compete with any other clubs next summer.

READ MORE –> Liverpool transfer news

Keita has been exceptional for Leipzig since joining from Red Bull Salzburg two years ago and helped the club finish second in the Bundesliga last season.