Departing Liverpool star gets Prem lifeline with Crystal Palace tipped for risky bargain swoop (original) (raw)
Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita could yet remain in the Premier League next season despite his contract expiring in the summer, a report has claimed.
Keita is due to become a free agent at the end of the season after failing to agree a contract extension with Liverpool. Injury issues have prevented him from ever being convincing at Anfield. Therefore, he will soon need to find a new club.
The most common rumours for Keita have regarded a move abroad. However, an update from the Liverpool Echo, exploring the futures of Liverpool’s out-of-contract players, has suggested that the Guinea international still has a suitor in the Premier League.
According to the write-up, Crystal Palace are among the sides who could be showing an interest in the 28-year-old.
They are due to lose Luka Milivojevic, Albert Sambi Lokonga and James McArthur from their midfield at the end of the season. Therefore, they might have room to accommodate another arrival.
Upon closer inspection, the link with Keita actually stems from a recent feature suggesting Crystal Palace could appoint Adi Hutter – Keita’s former manager at RB Salzburg – as their next manager to replace Roy Hodgson at the end of the season.
In that event or otherwise, it will be interesting to see if the idea of taking Keita to Selhurst Park might actually materialise further. For now, there doesn’t seem to be anything too concrete behind the rumour.
Plenty of suggestions for Naby Keita – but which will materialise?
Other contenders for Keita’s signature might include Galatasaray, Barcelona and Inter Milan – although other sources have recently indicated that the latter’s pursuit may be over already.
Indeed, Keita’s injury history and high wages might be off-putting for anyone who still acknowledges his technical qualities.
Those factors will already have encouraged Liverpool to move on from their current number eight. His exit will be one of several in their midfield ahead of a summer rebuild.
As well as Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner will be out of contract at the end of the season. Moreover, Arthur Melo will reach the end of his loan spell from Juventus.
Apart from Milner, whose experience may earn him an extension, they all seem certain to be shown the exit door at Anfield before Liverpool look to invest in more reliable replacements.