Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita is reportedly “not thinking about staying” at the club beyond the end of this season when his contract expires.
The 27-year-old has struggled a lot with injuries since his £48m move to Liverpool in 2018 from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig.
He played 25 times in the Premier League for Jurgen Klopp’s side in his debut season but that is the most league games he has played for the Reds in a single campaign.
Keita has missed much of this season with a hamstring injury as he has only managed to play six times in the Premier League.
Liverpool are weak in midfield and Keita is one player expected to leave at the end of this season. Along with James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, he is out of contract in the summer.
Graeme Bailey has told TEAMtalk that Keita “looks to be heading out” and he has explained why his situation is “complicated”.
“The Liverpool midfield situation is not pretty, and probably the area that needs the most work. And that begins with those who might be on their way out of the club,” Bailey told TEAMtalk.
“James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita are all out-of-contract. And despite all three playing in recent months – it remains to be seen if any stay.
“One who is heading out looks to be Keita, but his situation is a complicated one. I understand he still feels aggrieved by many situations at the club.
“Jurgen Klopp loves him as a player, always has, and ideally I am told he would like him to stay. Indeed, at 27 he is arguably coming to his peak, or at the very least should be.”
Bailey later claimed that Keita was “hurt” by Klopp’s decision not to start him in the Champions League final last season.
He adds that RB Leipzig and Lyon are among the clubs interested in signing him on a free transfer.
“Keita also knows he has not quite delivered since his big-money switch from RB Leipzig in 2018. However, Keita’s decision is based on what happened last summer,” Bailey added.
“He was left out of the Champions League final which hurt him. He had produced some brilliant displays before the big clash with Real Madrid and genuinely thought he was going to start that game in Paris.
“But that was followed up by a big reason for him now seemingly heading to the exit door. And that was the fact that Liverpool did not reward him for his form.
“He produced what he thought was his best ever form for Liverpool and indeed in his career. But talks were not forthcoming and this hurt him, and concerned him in equal measure.
“Now, despite seeing some increasing game time in recent weeks, he is not really thinking of staying at Anfield.
“And while you can’t rule out a late offer, he already has interest from the likes of Inter and AC Milan, Lyon and perhaps interestingly RB Leipzig.
“They brought back Timo Werner last year. And they would love to pair him again with Keita after both starred for the club when they were together.”
Source: football365.com
