Barcelona wanted Naby Keita, says RB Leipzig director

Barcelona wanted to sign Naby Keita last summer according to RB Leipzig director Oliver Mintzlaff.

The midfielder has agreed a deal to join Liverpool next year after the Reds paid his £48 million release clause.

However, he could apparently have been heading to Camp Nou if Barca had pushed a bit harder.

“FC Barcelona was interested in Naby Keïta," he said.

"That was confirmed to us also from Barcelona. However, they were not as drive as Liverpool."

Source | Sport Bild

It was a pretty chaotic summer in the transfer market from Barca who were linked with several midfielders and came close to a deal for Jean-Michael Seri.

That deal ultimately fell through with Barca bringing in Paulinho instead.