Keita set to stay at RBL after starring against Schalke
RB Leipzig manager Ralf Rangnick denied there has been an offer from Liverpool for an early release for midfielder Naby Keita, who opened the scoring in his side's 3-1 win over Schalke.
Liverpool has not made an offer to bring Naby Keita's end-of-season transfer forward to January, according to RB Leipzig sporting director Ralf Rangnick.
Keita secured a move to Liverpool last August, but the complicated transfer is not due to be complete until the end of the campaign.
Liverpool reportedly triggered a £48million release clause which is due to become active on 1 July, while it are also said to have paid an extra £7m in order to secure the early transfer and loan him back for a year.
But with Liverpool one of four teams separated by just three points between second and fifth place in the Premier League, it is by no means guaranteed a UEFA Champions League spot, even if it do occupies the final qualification spot ahead of Monday's (AEDT) clash with Manchester City.
According to reports, that uncertainty over a top-four place coupled with the sale of Philippe Coutinho has urged Liverpool to consider bringing Keita to the club earlier than initially agreed by forking out a further £18m.
But Rangnick says neither Keita - who scored and starred in Leipzig's 3-1 defeat of Schalke on Sunday (AEDT) - nor Liverpool have made any such requests.
"Neither the player has told us that he wants to change, nor is there an offer from Liverpool," Rangnick told Sky. "He wants to leave us in the summer. He will play with us until the end of the season. There is nothing more to say."