Football
Stephan Uersfeld, Germany correspondent 7y

Naby Keita relishing RB Leipzig Champions League challenge

RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita has said he is looking forward to next season's challenges with the Bundesliga club amid reports linking him with a big-money move to Liverpool.

Guinea international Keita was one of the stars of the season as Leipzig finished second in their debut Bundesliga campaign.

Reports have suggested Liverpool could pay up to £50 million to bring the 22-year-old to Anfield, but Keita said he was looking forward to a Champions League adventure with Leipzig after they finished second in their debut Bundesliga campaign.

He told the official Bundesliga website the season had been "like a dream" and added: "We succeeded brilliantly and, by finishing second, we can of course feel more than satisfied.

"But we don't want to sit back now. We will continue to progress and ride this wave of success for as long as possible.

"We are really keen to discover what the Champions League is all about. Every player dreams of playing in it, and we will do everything in our power to make a difference in the tournament."

Asked about the rumours of a contract extension, he said: "I really don't worry about such things. My only focus is on our games and my performances -- they are the most important things.

"I am a young player who never cares about rumours or what appears in the newspapers. I am now looking forward to a well-earned holiday and then to next season."

Keita is under contract Leipzig, whom he joined from Red Bull Salzburg last summer, until 2020, and Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff told The Times the club "have decided that we will not sell any player from our starting line-up. Ralf Rangnick [sporting director] told this to our team at the end of the season. We will keep our team together and keep on developing."

Coach Ralph Hasenhuttl told kicker he wanted to bring in "around five new players" to reinforce the squad, adding: "We need to make reinforcements in midfield and attack."

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