Liverpool look set to miss out on top transfer target

What a mixed day it has been for Liverpool fans.

On a day where Virgil van Dijk looks likely to be heading to Liverpool they also look set to miss out on their top transfer target. Jürgen Klopp has made it a top priority that the club do their best to bring Red Bull Leipzig midfielder Naby Keïta to the club but the deal now looks unlikely. According to The Times, the club has given up on their pursuit of the midfielder after it was decided they were not willing to meet Leipzig's valuation of the player. The German club has priced the 22-year-old in excess of £70m but Liverpool have already had two bids rejected for the player of about £57m and £66m respectively. However, there is hope that Keïta may end up in Anfield as soon as next summer. According to the paper, the Guinean midfielder has a release clause in his contract that kicks in from 2018 which would allow Liverpool to purchase the player for £48m. The Times also reported that Liverpool have rejected a £72m bid from Barcelona for midfielder Phillipe Coutinho, news that will, no doubt, delight fans of the club.