Following manager’s admission, Liverpool face huge blow in their hopes of signing top target

RB Leipzig boss Ralph Hasenhutti has confirmed that Naby Keita will be staying at the German club for the next year.

Keita has been strongly linked with a move to Liverpool over the recent weeks, with manager Jurgen Klopp said to be a fan of the Guinea international.

Hasenhutti has however confirmed that for next season at least, Keita will remain a part of his team, saying, “It’s 100% clear that Naby will be staying with us and will be playing the season with Leipzig.

“We stated at the start of the transfer window that we would begin next season with the players who finished the last and nothing has changed.

“Naby Keita is one of our most important players and we are 100%sure he will be in our team this year.”

The 22-year-old Keita impressed last season as his performances helped Leipzig finish second in the Bundesliga and qualify for the Champions League.

The player will have a €50 million release clause on his contract next summer though and it is difficult to see him remaining at the club beyond that time.