Liverpool dealt major setback in Naby Keita chase as RB Leipzig say even a world-record bid is not enough

It was originally understood that the Germans wanted a fee in excess of £70m

Liverpool have been dealt a huge setback in their chase for RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita with the club’s sporting director insisting even a bid in the “three-figure range” will not be enough anymore.

The 22-year-old is one of Jurgen Klopp’s primary targets during the summer transfer window with the club prepared to make him their club record signing – albeit it have so-far baulked at the Bundesliga runners-up’s £70m valuation of the Guinean.

It is understood Keita himself wants to leave the club after helping Leipzig into the Champions League for the first time but the German club have so far been resolute in their stance.

And sporting director Ralf Rangnick has consolidated this stance by insisting the club’s player preparation for the new season is now complete and that even a bid of €100m would not persuade the club to sell.

“I'm assuming that today, our transfer efforts are completed, Rangnick said. “There are no pain limits, even in the three-digit range.

“We will not give a starter, and it does not matter if someone says he does not know where he is going next season, it's enough when we know.

“These players have come to us to be able to play Champions League at any given time.”

Klopp is expected to be busy this summer as he attempts to build a squad capable of competing both in the Premier League and Champions League next term.

Mohamed Salah has already arrived in what could become a club record deal from Roma while Chelsea's Dominic Solanke has also joined following the end of his contract at Chelsea.

Reds boss Klopp is eyeing as many as seven new signings this offseason with Keita seen as a crucial piece of the recruitment drive.