MX23RW : Thursday, January 30 17:00:22| >> :60:1097:1097:

Liverpool's Naby Keita 'in talks over Galatasaray move'

Naby Keita 'in talks over Galatasaray move'
© Reuters
Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita is in talks over a move to Turkish giants Galatasaray, according to a report.

Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita is in talks over a move to Galatasaray, according to a report.

The Guinea international is running down the final few months of his Anfield contract and will be free to leave the Reds at the end of the season if his situation does not change.

Despite being plagued by numerous injury problems during his time at Liverpool, Keita is supposedly still valued as a key member of the squad by Jurgen Klopp when fit.

As a result, Liverpool were believed to be hoping to agree a new contract with the 27-year-old, but they have since performed a U-turn on their stance and have pulled out of negotiations.

Keita is therefore poised to walk out of the door for nothing this summer, five years after Liverpool forked out €60m (£53.9m) to sign him from RB Leipzig in 2018.

Naby Keita in action for Liverpool in May 2022© Reuters

A move to Italy has been mooted for Keita, who is able to enter pre-contract talks with foreign clubs, and Liverpool were said to have been considering the prospect of a part-exchange deal with Inter Milan for Marcelo Brozovic.

Now, Turkish publication A Spor claims that Super Lig giants Galatasaray have started talks over a move for the Guinea midfielder, with the transfer window in Turkey open until February 8.

The report adds that negotiations are still in their early stages, but Keita's representatives are in direct contact with Galatasaray, whose move for the lynchpin may have to wait until the end of the season.

Keita is one of four Liverpool midfielders who could be saying their goodbyes at the end of the season, with Arthur, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also in line to leave.

Arthur has played just 13 minutes during his loan spell from Juventus due to a serious thigh injury, and Liverpool are not expected to take up their offer to make his stay permanent.

Arthur warms up for Liverpool in September 2022© Reuters

Meanwhile, Milner and Oxlade-Chamberlain are both out of contract at the end of the season, and the latter is expected to leave on a free transfer amid his own struggles for fitness and game time.

However, Klopp has hinted that he wants Milner - who turned 37 last month - to sign a new deal at Anfield, where supporters are expecting at least one big-money midfield signing during the summer.

The Reds have decided against splashing the cash on their engine room in the last two windows as they prioritise a summer swoop for Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham, while Matheus Nunes, Ruben Neves and Moises Caicedo have also been linked with moves to Anfield.

Keita has recorded 11 goals and seven assists from 126 matches in a Liverpool shirt, but he has been restricted to just 10 appearances in all tournaments this season due to injury.

However, the 27-year-old could make his fourth consecutive start for Klopp's team when they tackle Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux in Saturday's Premier League clash.

ID:505895:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect6004:
Written by
Ben Knapton

Click here for more stories about Naby Keita

Click here for more stories about Liverpool

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on January 21, 2023
Read Next:
Liverpool 'considering midfield loan signing before January deadline'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool22165154213353
2Arsenal23138244212347
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2313553327644
4Manchester CityMan City23125647301741
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle23125641271441
6Chelsea23117545301540
7Bournemouth23117541261540
8Aston Villa2310763435-137
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2381053531434
10Fulham238963431333
11Brentford2394104240231
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd2385102832-429
13Crystal Palace236982630-427
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham2376102844-1627
15Tottenham HotspurSpurs2373134637924
16Everton225891928-923
17Leicester CityLeicester2345142549-2417
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2344153252-2016
19Ipswich TownIpswich2337132147-2616
20Southampton2313191653-376


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!