RB Leipzig sporting director Ralph Rangnick has reiterated the German club’s desire to hold on to in-demand midfielder Naby Keita and hit out at his entourage for trying to force a move.
Guinea international Keita is top of Liverpool’s summer transfer wish list, with bids of £57 million and £66 million reportedly both rejected out of hand.
The Bundesliga side, who finished runners-up to Bayern Munich last season, insist their most prized asset will not be allowed to leave this summer.
However, Bild claimed on Tuesday that Leipzig had drawn up a list of targets in the event that Liverpool made an offer that was too good to refuse.
But Rangnick has once again batted away those suggestions and criticised the advice Keita is receiving, saying the team will be counting on both he and fellow wantaway star Emil Forsberg next season.
‘There should be someone who points them into the right direction,’ Rangnick said at a coaching convention in Bochum.
‘The boys themselves are not the problem here. It is their surroundings.
‘A whole village in Guinea or somebody from their entourage tells the players why they must do something right away. I can’t blame the players.
‘I expect them to play for us next season. Both are extraordinary players who make the difference for our team.’
Rangnick’s comments come after the club’s manager, Oliver Mintzlaff, underlined his desire to keep Keita: ‘We’re looking forward to the season ahead – together with Naby!’
The coach was speaking after Keita played 45 minutes of a pre-season friendly against Turkish side Konyaspor, putting to bed doubts over his mental state following a vicious training-ground challenge that forced the session to be brought to a premature end.
While it looks like Liverpool will be unsuccessful in their pursuit of Keita this summer, they will reignite their move next year when a release clause is available to be triggered.
MORE : What can Liverpool expect from transfer of RB Leipzig star Naby Keita?
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