Liverpool FC transfer news: RB Leipzig confirm Naby Keita will not move to Anfield until July 2018

RB Leipzig have released a statement confirming Naby Keita will NOT move to Liverpool until July 2018, putting rumours of an early move to Anfield to bed.

Last summer, Keita, the Guinea midfielder, agreed to sign for the Reds at the end of 2017-18 after they triggered his £48m release clause.

However, rumours of the move being pushed forward to this month have hit the headlines in the days since Philippe Coutinho left Liverpool for Barcelona in a £142m deal.

SEE ALSO: Naby Keita: How the Liverpool-bound midfielder has performed in 2017-18 for RB Leipzig

Jurgen Klopp wanted to add Keita to his squad in January, and reports emerged suggesting Leipzig were willing to accept the 22-year-old’s departure for an extra £13m.

However, on Sunday, Leipzig released a statement via their official Twitter account confirming Keita will an RB player until June 30th.

It read: ‘Naby Keita will remain an RB Leipzig player until 30th June 2018. We wish to put the speculation about a January move to Liverpool to bed.’

Sport director Ralf Rangnick was later quoted: "We won't allow Liverpool to sign him early, even though they have shown renewed interest to bring him in during this transfer window."