Naby Keïta will have to force his way out of RB Leipzig after the German club officially informed Liverpool that the player is not for sale.

RB Leipzig’s stance hardened as they contacted Liverpool yesterday to insist that Keïta will not be allowed to depart, a situation which leaves the Guinea midfielder weighing up how hard he is prepared to push for the transfer.

Keïta is due to report for training today and one option would be for him to formally subject a transfer request.

The 22-year-old has emerged as one of Liverpool’s prime summer transfer targets along with Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk. Manager Jürgen Klopp continues to hold an interest in AS Monaco’s wunderkind Kylian Mbappé, who has still to outline his future plans