“?Naby Keita has suggested he rejected offers from a number of Premier League clubs, including Liverpool, before joining current Bundesliga leaders RB Leipzig in the summer.
The 21-year-old is fast becoming one of Europe’s hottest prospects having helped newly-promoted Leipzig to the summit of Germany’s top division.
The surprise pace setters went three points clear last weekend, after Keita’s team continued their fairytale run by winning away to Bayer Leverkusen, whilst current champions Bayern Munich, fell to a 1-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund.
Formed just seven years ago, @RBLeipzig_EN are now top of the #Bundesliga.
The dream goes on…? https://t.co/bxHinW72aB
With the spotlight now well and truly on Leipzig, attention has already turned to whether they can keep their key players in the upcoming January transfer window.
Keita is likely to be one such player who is linked with a move away from the east German side. However it is probable he will remain with Leipzig for the foreseeable future, after claiming he snubbed moves to the Premier League back in the summer.
The Guinean midfielder said, as quoted by the “?Liverpool Echo: “Arsenal, Manchester City and Southampton were all interested in signing me and Liverpool as well, although I did not speak with their coach.
“I did not want to join a big Champions League club right away. It is too early for that. I want to prove myself in the Bundesliga first now.”
The diminutive midfielder left Austrian side red Bull Salzburg earlier this year and joined Leipzig for a small fee.
Naby Keita’s Bundesliga season by numbers for RB Leipzig:
312 passes completed
24 interceptions
23 take-ons
13 tackles won
3 goals
1 assist pic.twitter.com/jn5mFpkO1Q
It is likely that Keita’s price has skyrocketed in recent weeks, after his own personal performances have helped his team to the top of the Bundesliga.
His wish to avoid Champions League football may well have an ironic twist at the end of the season, if Leipzig can maintain their unbeaten run to win the league and thus qualify for Europe’s elite competition next season.
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