Liverpool have been dealt a major blow in their efforts to bring forward the summer move of Naby Keita from RB Leipzig.
The Reds have been hoping to bring the Guinean midfielder’s transfer forward this month even if it required them paying an extra charge.
However, the Germans have decided against allowing him to leave early, and they released a statement saying he would remain a Leipzig player until June 30th this year.
Keita was widely expected to join Liverpool this week, with reports in the German media claiming he would be playing his last game for the Bundesliga giants on Saturday.
He did play that match against Schalke 04 and even opened the scoring, but that would not be his last game.
Keita joined Leipzig from Redbull Salzburg before the 2016/2017 season and was the best midfielder in the German league in his first season.
Liverpool wanted to sign him last summer, but the Germans refused. The Reds then struck an agreement that would see him join the for £67 million next summer.
Keita has scored 3 goals in 14 Bundesliga games this season.
