Rb Leipzig sporting director Ralf Rangnick has explained his controversial comments about those advising Liverpool target Naby Keita.
Rangnick drew controversy when he claimed that the youngster was being influenced by “a whole village in Guinea”.
Rangnick has since clarified his comments and said, “I know Naby from the very first day when he came to Salzburg. We therefore have a very close relationship, also to his adviser. We are in a trusting exchange. That is exactly what I said in my lecture in Bochum.
“Behind many players with an African background, and I’ve met a lot of them, there is a clan and sometimes a whole village, that lives from the help of one football player. And it’s the case that there are people behind Naby, that demand his transfer.”
Rangnick made the claim while stressing that his club have no intention of selling Keita despite Liverpool having strong interesting in him.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is said to be a big admirer of Keita, who played a starring role for Leipzig last season and helped the club surprisingly finished second in the Bundesliga.
The German outfit will be hesitant to part ways with their star as they prepare for their debut in the Champions League.
