Naby Keita Will Not Join Liverpool In January – Ralf Rangnick

RB Leipzig have confirmed that they will not consider selling Naby Keita to Liverpool during the winter transfer window.

Months ago, Liverpool announced an agreement to sign Keita at the end of the current season and there has been speculation that Leipzig could be persuaded to part with the Guinea international in January.

However, Leipzig sporting director Ralf Rangnick — who said last month that the midfielder would not have been sold but for his release clause — ruled out an early departure.

“Even if we should not reach the knockout stages of Champions League, it would make no sense to allow Naby to join Liverpool earlier,” Rangnick told Leipziger Volkszeitung. “We want to qualify for Europe again, and we need Naby for that.”

“We of course have Naby’s back,” Rangnick said, but refused to make further comments because of the current legal proceedings.

Leipzig, currently second in the Bundesliga, remain in contention to finish second in their Champions League group, with two games left to make up a two-point deficit on second-placed Porto, who hold the head-to-head advantage over the German club.