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Thursday, Feb 19, 2026

£52m Liverpool flop expected to leave this summer on a free transfer

£52m Liverpool flop expected to leave this summer on a free transfer

Naby Keita’s Liverpool contract expires at the end of the season and he is expected to leave the club on a free transfer with an extension unlikely.
The midfielder signed for the Reds from RB Salzburg in 2018 for a whopping £52.75m but the move has never really worked out and certainly not justified that transfer fee.

Keita played regularly in his first season at the club, making 33 appearances in all competitions as Liverpool lifted the Champions League, but the Guinea international missed the final through injury.

Fitness problems have plagued him throughout his time in England and he has regularly been sidelined, meaing the 25 Premier League appearances he made in his first season has never been bettered.

As the Reds made the finals of the Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup last season, Keita made 40 appearances, scoring four goals, but he has fallen back out of favour this campaign, starting just two Premier League games so far.

Sky Sports Germany report that his time at Anfield is now coming to an end, with a new contract unlikely to be signed.

The report states that there is plenty of interest in Keita on a free transfer and he could return to the Bundesliga.

Liverpool are expected to completely overhaul their midfield over the summer, with criticism aimed at the middle of the pitch for their recent poor results.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is also set to depart, with James Milner likely to leave as well as both England internationals see their contracts end this summer.

While three free transfers will not bring in anything to the transfer kitty, it will free up a significant chunk of the wage bill as the Reds look to invest in younger, more dynamic midfield options.
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