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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Charlotte Coates

AC Milan 'step up' Naby Keita interest after January transfer 'blocked' by Liverpool

AC Milan are reportedly ready to step up their interest in Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita as he looks likely to leave the Reds in the summer when his contract expires.

The Guinea international was brought to Anfield in the summer of 2018 with plenty of expectation after some superb performances in the Bundesliga, but he failed to live up to the hype in the Premier League.

Now seemingly available as a free transfer in the summer, Keita is the subject of interest from the Serie A club and his former side RB Leipzig.

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The Mirror report that Milan, who sit sixth in Serie A, are ready to persuade Keita to make the switch to Italy and turn down interest from elsewhere.

Keita, who was signed for over £50million five years ago, was reported to be of interest to Leipzig in January, but Jurgen Klopp wouldn't allow the move to go through with Liverpool already struggling in midfield, as per BILD.

The ECHO understand talk over a new deal has gone quiet over the last couple of months and he is poised to leave for free at the end of the season. The midfielder is now free to talk to foreign sides as they look to agree a pre-contract.

The Rossoneri signed Liverpool favourite Divock Origi on a free transfer last summer and could be looking to add Keita to their ranks.

Liverpool gave Keita the number eight shirt made famous by Reds legend Steven Gerrard, but it looks set to be made vacant in the summer with contract talks stalling.

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