Liverpool has been told that they will be extremely lucky to receive any fee in January for a midfielder who can leave for free next summer.
Jurgen Klopp’s engine room is in need of an overhaul, with the Reds manager expected to address the issue in January and possibly next summer as he deals with potential departures.
Naby Keita is one such player who appears to be on his way out after failing to impress on Merseyside.
A mixture of injury issues and the player not showing the form that prompted the Reds to splash out £ 50 million for signature back in 2018 has led to him falling out of favor at Anfield.
Indeed, the Reds have pulled the plug on any new deal talks. That means Keita can speak to any clubs outside of England to discuss a pre-contract deal in January ahead of a free transfer summer exit.
There is also the possibility the 27-year-old could get sold in the new year. However, former Hibernian strike Tam McManus cannot see that scenario unfolding.
McManus feels the midfielder has been a huge Liverpool disappointment and that recouping a fee for him will be tough.
Keita has not given Liverpool any value
He told Football Insider: “He has never been a regular, he was a big-money signing, people forget.
“I’m just looking here, it was nearly £ 50 million. That’s a big outlay from Liverpool. He has not been a success.
“He looked very, very good at Leipzig but he has struggled to get into that Liverpool midfield, a midfield that has taken a lot of criticism this season.
“There are talented players in there but there aren’t any legs. He has been a bit of a flop, to be honest. Liverpool will hope to recoup some of that outlay but he’s, what, 27?
“He might still have a big move in him but Liverpool isn’t really in control of that with him out of contract soon. It’s such a waste.
“I don’t think anyone will want him in January.”
While a January exit does look unlikely, there is reported interest from Italy in Keita and fellow Reds star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Calciomercato claims that AC Milan is looking at the duo as potential new arrivals in the summer.
While neither player has plied his trade in Italy before, it appears Milan is ready to take a gamble on two free transfers.
Liverpool are not back in action until December 22 when they head to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup.
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