Naby Keita: "I want to become the best African player in the world"

Liverpool-bound midfielder Naby Keita has outlined his ambition of becoming "the best African player in the world".

The Reds agreed a deal last summer to sign the Guinea international from RB Leipzig, which will not officially go through until the end of the 2017-18 campaign.

Keita, who came through the ranks at hometown club Horoya AC, has been on an upward trajectory since joining French club FC Istres in 2013, going on to play for Red Bull Salzburg and then RB Leipzig.

Now awaiting a transfer to Liverpool, the 22-year-old has made the bold claim and insists that he wants to be even better than his idol, Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure.

"I want to become the best African player in the world," Keita is quoted by The Mirror as saying. "My idol from Africa is Toure. He is strong, works hard and has made it to the very top.

"When I am on the field, I want to think that I am the best. It's not for myself, it's for the team. Once I do that, I can feel good."

Liverpool are reportedly hoping to bring Keita's move forward to January due to the loss of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona.