‘Keep an eye’: £120k-a-week Liverpool player may not leave Anfield, even if Jude Bellingham signs – journalist

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Naby Keita may not leave Anfield next year – even if Jude Bellingham joins Liverpool. That’s according to one Sky journalist.

This comes from Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth. He told GiveMeSport that Naby Keita‘s future isn’t all that clear, even as his contract looks set to expire in 2023.

Liverpool actually have a few midfielders whose deal expire at the end of the campaign. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner are the other two – but Keita is the ‘biggest’ name.

Thus when it comes to freeing up space for signings, he’s also the primary one of the chopping block. After all, he’s less likely to accept a squad role and boasts the most significant wages.

But Sheth suggests that Keita wouldn’t necessarily need to leave for Liverpool to afford Jude Bellingham. While that’s not to say that the Guinean remaining is likely, the Reds won’t force him out of the door.

“It doesn’t automatically mean that if Bellingham came in it means that Naby Keita will be leaving the club,” explained Sheth.

The Sky Sports reporter then commented on the likelihood of Keita extending his deal. It doesn’t sound too positive, however.

“We haven’t heard anything along the lines of contract talks are going well with Liverpool and Keita,” he said. “Or that contract talks have even been opened between the club and Keita, but it is definitely one to keep an eye on.”

Naby Keita could leave Anfield

Admittedly, we’ve always expected that Keita would leave in order for new players to come in. If only because Liverpool do want new midfielders and they’ll naturally push him down the pecking order.

It just seems to make sense for everyone. Liverpool free up squad space and wage space, Keita gets first-team football elsewhere.

Otherwise, things just seem a little messy for both. Bellingham, for instance, would command a starting spot, with Jordan Henderson and Thiago competing for the other. Is Keita going to accept being fourth-choice in a new contract? And what if Liverpool make another signing?

We still expect him to leave, then, even if it isn’t technically necessary.