RB Leipzig director criticises Naby Keita entourage

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 26 July 2017

Leipzig director criticises Keita entourage

RB Leipzig sporting director Ralf Rangnick expects Naby Keita to still be at the club next season despite fierce speculation linking him with Liverpool.

RB Leipzig sporting director Ralf Rangnick has claimed that Naby Keita has had his head turned by members of his entourage amid fierce speculation linking him with a move to Liverpool.

Liverpool have made two big-money offers for the Guinea international this summer - the latest of which is rumoured to be around £75m - but both have been knocked back by the Bundesliga runners-up.

Rangnick believes that the speculation is down to the player being poorly advised, but is confident that the 22-year-old midfielder will still be at the club next season.

"There should be someone who points them into the right direction," he is quoted as saying by The Guardian.

"The boys themselves are not the problem here. It is their surroundings. A whole village in Guinea or somebody from their entourage tells the players why they must do something right away. I can't blame the players.

"I expect them to play for us next season. Both are extraordinary players who make the difference for our team."

Leipzig managing director Oliver Mintzlaff has also insisted that Keita is not for sale at any price this summer.