Ralph Hasenhuttl '100 per cent' sure of Naby Keita Leipzig stay
Thursday 7 November 2019 13:38, UK
RB Leipzig manager Ralph Hasenhuttl insists it is "100 per cent clear" sought-after midfielder Naby Keita will remain at the German club.
Sky Sports News on Friday reported the Reds have ended their interest of the 22-year-old, having had two bids for the Guinea international rejected over the summer.
Keita, a shining light in the Leipzig side which stormed to a second-placed finish in the Bundesliga last season, scored eight goals in 31 appearances to help his team qualify for the Champions League.
Leipzig confirmed they turned down an offer of £67m from an unnamed club and, reacting to the Reds' withdrawal from the race for the star's signature, Hasenhuttl stressed he is fully confident the player will now stay put.
"The chance [of Keita leaving] is "null," the manager said.
"It's 100 per cent clear that Naby will play this year in Leipzig.
"At the beginning of the transfer period that we said we would start with the same team and of the players we had last year no-one will go.
"For us, everyone can see how important Naby Keita is for our game. It's 100 per cent sure that he will be with RB Leipzig in the Champions League."
Speaking after Leipzig's 1-0 Emirates Cup defeat to Sevilla, in which Keita played the whole game, Hasenhuttl stressed the player is more than happy to stay put as the club begin their Champions League adventure.
"When you play such a famous season as last year it is normal players get interest, that other clubs are watching us is normal," he said.
"I said for all the players it is very important to stay together as it's the first time we play Champions League and that is a new situation for every one of us.
"We are a very young players and I think for them it is very important to play the first year in the Champions League as a team. He is more focused on us and has more fun now than last year.
"He knows this season it will be fantastic for us.
"It is the first time Champions League and also for Naby Keita it is a great thing. I think he is more focused than last year."
There has been speculation a clause in Keita's contract would allow him to leave for a set fee next summer, but the Australian, who admitted he expects plenty of interest surrounding the player in a year's time, refused to confirm if such a term exists.
"I don't tell you about the details of his contract. You have to ask other people," he added.
"Liverpool will not be the only one [to look at Keita next summer] I think. Until next summer we keep the door closed and then we have a look."
