Liverpool locked in talks to sign Naby Keita in January as he prepares Leipzig goodbye
LIVERPOOL remain locked in talks over the early signing of Naby Keita as he prepares to wave goodbye to RB Leipzig fans.
Liverpool are keen to bring the transfer forward to this month after agreeing a deal for the summer last year.
And Keita wants to make the move now and help Liverpool recover from the sale of Philippe Coutinho.
Leipzig manager Ralph Hasenhuttl insists the situation remains the same and he will stay until the summer.
"The current situation is that nothing changed. We do not have a reason to sell Keita any time before the end of the season. That's it," Hasenhuttl said on Thursday.
"He will play at the weekend against Schalke 04 and hopefully he does well. That's the only thing I really care about.
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"I think that Naby wants to finish the season in a good way in Leipzig. He wants to leave a good impression.
"He made many good games for the club - in my opinion, I think that he will put everything into the rest of the season.
"He probably wants to do some self-promotion before he leaves. He does not want to leave without showing all his qualities since he had some weak games in the first part of the season."
But Express Sport understands Keita will say goodbye to fans today in the match against Schalke.
Bundesliga expert Lee Price said: "Leipzig face Schalke in the clash of the weekend in the Bundesliga. Win and they potentially go second, lose and there will be a five-point gap.
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"But it will be important for more than just the league table.
"Leipzig don't play at home for another two weeks after this one and it's likely what happens here could be a big indicator of Keita's mindset.
"We saw Coutinho wave to all corners of Anfield days before he was sold to Barcelona and Keita could do the same.
"While the last few weeks have been difficult, it's a club he holds in high regard and he wants to go out in good grace. He doesn't want to be remembered with any bad feelings."
Today a picture has emerged online him wearing a Liverpool shirt and Reds fans have begun welcoming him to the club.
And talks remain ongoing over the deal but it appears closer than earlier in the week.
Yesterday Keita registered a company in the UK amid claims the deal would be complete by Sunday and he would wave goodbye to Leipzig fans this weekend.
A company under the name ‘NK8 LIMITED’ has been registered on the Companies House website. Two people are listed as officers - Naby Deco Keita and Bjorn Alexander Bezemer.
Bundesliga journalist Chris Williams then tweeted: “Information from within Leipzig this evening that Naby Keita will become a Liverpool player on Sunday.”
