Liverpool could end up paying up to £66million for Naby Keita if Red Bull Leipzig manage to reach the Champions League again this season, according to Sport Bild.
The German outlet have revealed that Leipzig could be in for a massive windfall depending on their performances this season, potentially receiving up to £18million in bonuses.
As reported by the BBC, Liverpool signed Keita in the summer for a club-record fee, agreeing to pay the £48million release clause for the Guinea international, who will join next summer.
As part of the deal to secure the highly-coveted midfielder, the Reds agreed to pay an undisclosed premium on top of the release fee.
Bild now claim that the final fee paid by Liverpool is dependent on Leipzig’s performance this season, and could see them receive an astronomical sum for the 22-year-old.
If Leipzig finish outside of the European places, Liverpool will pay £57million for the player.
If they manage to make the Europa League, that fee rises to £61million.
If they repeat their performance last season and make it to Europe’s premier club competition, Liverpool will have to fork out a massive £66million for him.
It is also reported that the German club have a 10% sell-on clause inserted in the deal, meaning they could be in line to receive an even bigger windfall for the midfielder.
Leipzig are currently third in the Bundesliga and on course to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
OPINION
Whoever is negotiating transfer deals at Leipzig deserves a medal for this one. Keita basically had one brilliant season for the club and is now on his way for a fee that may see him become around the 12th-most expensive player of all time. The Guinea international is undoubtedly a brilliant player, and will slot in to the Liverpool squad nicely, but you have to think the Reds have been taken for a ride here. Keita is still playing well for Leipzig this season, but has received two red cards already this season and is yet to really hit the heights he reached last campaign. The fact that he is off to Anfield next season may have something to do with that, at least that’s what Liverpool fans will be hoping.