Liverpool Transfer News: Naby Keita Reportedly to Join Reds Next Summer

Liverpool have reportedly agreed a club-record deal to sign RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita next summer, paying an undisclosed premium on top of the Guinea international's £48 million release clause. 

The Mirror's David Anderson noted Keita's release clause does not come into effect until June 2018, but RB Leipzig relented after a summer of interest in the player from the Reds, who had a £66 million bid rejected.

James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo added the box-to-box star has already taken official steps to rubber-stamp the move:

Reds manager Jurgen Klopp has shown initiative to secure the player's signature ahead of time, even though many supporters might have preferred to see him arrive at Anfield before the close of this summer's transfer window.

Football writer Chris Williams noted how Keita's desires will have also played a major hand in deciding the switch, but RB Leipzig understandably want to keep him for more than one season:

The agreed deal also means Liverpool are guaranteed to break their transfer record in two successive summer transfer windows; Mohamed Salah passed the previous mark with his £36 million move from AS Roma in June.

The stars are aligning for Klopp to reshape his midfield, as it appears Emre Can will leave for Juventus next summer also. Italian daily La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Uche Amako of the Daily Express) reported the German has agreed to move to Turin in 2018, paving the way for Keita's arrival.

While many may consider the Guinean star an upgrade on Can, it's worth arguing the latter should be kept at the club considering the strides he made towards the end of last season on Merseyside.

The BBC's John Bennett praised a fine week both on and off the Anfield pitch, with more transfers said to be on the club's radar this summer:

Keita was a crucial part of RB Leipzig's debut season in the Bundesliga—following a June 2016 move from Austrian sister club Red Bull Salzburg—scoring eight goals and recording seven assists in 31 league appearances.

It's also his steel across the pitch that Klopp will look forward to throwing in alongside the likes of captain Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana, with his energetic attitude likely to have played a big role in his recruitment.

RB Leipzig now have one year to find a replacement for the all-action Keita, while Liverpool can rest easy knowing they will have no competition for his signature next summer.