Liverpool’s transfer plans have apparently suffered a setback as two of Jurgen Klopp’s main targets this summer now appear to be off the market.
Star RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita and striker Timo Werner were allegedly on the Reds’ hit list, however, Leipzig’s Director of Football, Ralf Rangnick has issued an emphatic ‘hands off’ over the pair.
Speaking to Bild, he said:
We’re not thinking about selling our best players this summer. There’s no red line for us. We will keep our team and improve it in several positions.
22-year-old Keita has been earmarked by Klopp as the new fulcrum of his midfield; with hotshot Werner needed to add a regular source of goals at Anfield, as question marks remain over the futures of the likes of Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi and Danny Ings.
The 21-year-old Werner hit the back of the net 21 times in the Bundesliga last season and is versatile enough to play anywhere along the front line, offering Klopp the sort of tactical flexibility he craves.
Rangnick’s hardline stance on selling any of his star players is likely to mean that, if Liverpool boss Klopp is serious about signing Keita or Werner, it will take a significant sum to prise either of them away.
