RFB Leipzig central midfielder Naby Keita has revealed that he turned down a number of Premier League clubs in the summer, including Liverpool, before joining the German club.
The 21 year old had spent two years at Leipzig’s sister club Red Bull Salzburg before making the move to the Bundesliga, but the Guinean international says he doesn’t regret turning down the advances of Premier League sides as he doesn’t feel he is ready to make such a big step in his career. He told Austrian website Sportnet:
“Arsenal, Manchester City and Southampton were all interested in signing me and Liverpool as well, although I did not speak with their coach. I did not want to join a big Champions League club right away. It is too early for that. I want to prove myself in the Bundesliga first now.”
Keita has had an impressive start with Leipzig with three goals in his first six league matches with the German club currently second in the league. He already has 12 caps for Guinea after making his debut against Mali in an African Cup of Nations qualifier back in 2013. He moved to Europe the same year to join French side Istres before his spell in Austria with Salzburg.
