Transfer Centre

Barcelona weighing up move for Liverpool's Naby Keita?

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 06 March 2023

Barcelona weighing up move for Naby Keita?

Barcelona reportedly join the likes of Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund in the race to sign Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita, who is out of contract this summer.

Barcelona have reportedly taken a liking to Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita, who could become a free agent at the end of the season.

The Guinea international is running down the final few months of his Anfield contract and will walk away for nothing in the summer as things stand.

Liverpool paid an extortionate fee of €60m (£53.3m) to bring Keita to the club from RB Leipzig in 2018, but the midfielder has failed to live up to his price tag at Anfield.

Injuries have blighted Keita's Liverpool career, with the 28-year-old missing a total of 84 Reds games through various fitness problems, and he has failed to nail down a regular first-team spot.

Despite his persistent struggles, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was initially said to be open to keeping Keita at the club, with the midfielder regarded as a highly-valued member of the German's squad when fully fit.

Naby Keita in action for Liverpool in May 2022 © Reuters

As such, the Reds were discussing an extension with Keita, but they have since performed a U-turn on their stance, and the midfielder is expected to leave on a free transfer in a few months' time.

A return to RB Leipzig has been mooted for the 28-year-old, but according to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona also hold a firm interest in his services as they continue to scour the free agent market.

The report states that it is "practically impossible" to envisage Liverpool making an offer to keep Keita at the club, and a free transfer would certainly appeal to the cash-strapped Blaugrana.

Multiple midfielders at Xavi's disposal are facing uncertain futures at Camp Nou, and veteran Sergio Busquets has supposedly informed the club that he will be leaving when his contract expires in July.

A replacement for the long-serving Busquets is therefore expected to be at the top of Barcelona's summer agenda, while Frenkie de Jong and Franck Kessie have also been linked with moves away from Catalonia.

Barcelona captain Sergio Busquets on October 16, 2022 © Reuters

Manchester United are reportedly ready to reignite their interest in De Jong following last summer's protracted transfer saga, although Kessie is expected set to stay for the 2023-24 season.

While not exactly in the same mould as Busquets, Keita could emerge as an interesting cut-price option for Barcelona, but Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan are ready to rival the La Liga leaders for his services.

Dortmund are said to have identified Keita as a possible replacement for the much-coveted Jude Bellingham, while Inter are facing a battle to keep hold of Nicolo Barella, who is understood to be on the radar of Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City.

Keita has scored 11 goals and set up seven more in 129 appearances for Liverpool over the past four and a half years, but he is yet to directly contribute to a goal in 13 matches this season.

The 28-year-old could be one of several midfielders cut from Liverpool's ranks in a mass exodus this summer, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner and Juventus loanee Arthur also set to leave as things stand.

Jurgen Klopp has also confirmed reports stating that Roberto Firmino will depart when his own deal expires in a few months' time.