Liverpool open talks with £22.5M rated midfielder

Liverpool have reportedly opened talks over a new contract deal with their £22.5M rated midfielder as they don't want to lose him for free.

Midfielder Naby Keita is currently sidelined but the reports have claimed the club is looking to renew his deal to ensure he keeps his market value - which is currently £22.5M.

Keita's deal runs out next summer and if Liverpool do not agree on a new deal then he is in danger of leaving the club on a free transfer.

Considering Keita is still only 27, it makes sense to renew his deal and then look to sell him for a fee if they decide to upgrade in the future.

Latest reports on Keita's deal

Liverpool have opened talks with Naby Keita over a new contract and are increasingly hopeful of securing an agreement, sources have told Football Insider.

The club is looking at the deal from a financial standpoint; they don't want to lose Keita for nothing this year and are working on tying him down to an extension and maintaining his market value.

Given he signed from RB Leipzig in 2018 for a fee of £52.75M, it's clear his value is over half of that now due to injuries that have plagued his Liverpool career.

His injury record has been abysmal in the last four years, with consistent spells in the first team few and far between as a result.

He did have arguably his best season last year, playing 40 times and scoring four and assisting three, but has only featured once so far this season.