It was expected to be a significant transfer coup for Liverpool
Bayern Munich and Barcelona were interested in signing RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita following an impressive 2016-17 Bundesliga season in which he scored eight goals and assisted eight times in 31 league appearances.
Liverpool had two bids rejected in the summer of 2017 before then-sporting director Michael Edwards outwitted his rivals by agreeing to a 12-month extension for Keita.
The fee of £52.75 million ($65.3 million), which was then a club record, meant that Liverpool were effectively paying a premium on top of his contract’s £48 million release clause, which could be triggered in 2018.
Jurgen Klopp referred to him as “the complete midfielder” and believed he possessed the necessary skill set to thrive at Anfield. The season-long wait for him only heightened the sense of anticipation among eager fans.
When Keita finally arrived at Melwood in July 2018, he was greeted by former captain Steven Gerrard, who gave him the No. 8 shirt he had chosen. Since Gerrard’s departure three years prior, no one had worn that jersey.
Keita is about to hand back that shirt after a disappointing stint on Merseyside that will be remembered as a story of potential unfulfilled.
He should be entering his prime at the age of 28. Instead, the club’s fourth most expensive signing in history is set to leave as a free agent this summer as Liverpool look to rebuild their midfield.
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