Naby Keita has dismissed an approach from Manchester City because he has his heart set on joining Liverpool, according to a reliable journalist.
Amadou Makadji, who reports in Keita’s native Guinea for the site Foot 224, has delivered a series of updates in recent weeks about Liverpool’s attempts to prise the midfielder from RB Leipzig this summer.
Makadji reported on his personal Twitter account on Saturday morning that City have joined the race to sign the 22-year-old.
He claimed the Manchester club have been in contact with Keita’s agent to register their interest but were told that the player only wants to join Liverpool.
#Transfert Man #City a contacté l’agent de Naby #Keita pour doubler #Liverpool. Mais le Guinéen ne veut que les reds. City reste à l’affût. pic.twitter.com/3i5PI6Kaxi
— Amadou Makadji ???????? (@makadjiamadou) July 15, 2017
Keita’s stance is a huge boost to Liverpool’s bid to sign him from the Bundesliga club.
Leipzig have made it publicly clear that they have no intention of cashing in on their prize asset but the central midfielder has reportedly stressed his desire to move to Anfield in the coming weeks.
He does not want to wait a further 12 months, which is when clubs can activate a release clause set at £48million.
Liverpool are said to be in the market for a commanding midfielder, centre-back and attacking midfielder after already tying up the signing of jet-heeled winger Mohamed Salah for a potential club-record £39million.
Keita has been targeted after his outstanding performances in his debut Bundesliga season as he spearheaded Leipzig to a top-four finish and a place in next season’s Champions League.
He scored eight goals and supplied eight assists from 31 league matches following his arrival last summer from Red Bull Salzburg in Austria.