Keita will leave us next year - RBL chief

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Aug 11, 2017. 08:00

Red Bull Leipzig will be forced into selling Guinean star Naby Keita next year, according to club chief Ralf Rangnick.

RBL have thus far resisted multiple offers for the 22-year-old, with Liverpool the club most keen on signing the player.

However, Rangnick accepts that Keita is highly likely to leave in the next European summer, telling BILD: "We always said, if players develop faster than our club, then it will also be that a player leaves us.

"(But) it's important that Naby is still playing with us this season."

Keita's contract will see a €50m buyout clause come into effect in 2018 and Rangnick added: "I'm currently assuming we cannot cancel it."

Keita enjoyed a superb season for RBL in 2016/17, helping them finish as surprise runners-up in the Bundesliga.