Liverpool have confirmed they have sealed a deal to sign Naby Keita next summer.
RB Leipzig finally agreed to sell Keita to Liverpool for a premium on top of his £48million release-clause figure, which kicks in next summer.
The Guinea midfielder, who will officially join on July 1, has undergone his medical and the Reds have since announced the move.
“I am delighted that an agreement has been reached which will allow me to join Liverpool Football Club next summer, when I will become part of a project that excites me greatly,” said Keita.
“My commitment to RBL remains absolute for the remainder of my time at the club. I have given my all every time I have worn the shirt – that will be the case until the final whistle, in my final appearance.
“Having my future resolved means I can now focus on helping RBL achieve great things this season. Until I join my new club, next summer, I will remain an interested supporter from a distance.”
Leipzig caved in to Liverpool’s summer-long campaign to land Keita when they accepted that they could not hang on to the player beyond this season.
They rejected a £66million offer from the Reds to sign him this summer and faced losing him for £48million next year when his release clause came into affect.
The Bundesliga club decided to act now to maximise the fee for Keita and to give themselves 12 months to find his replacement.
Their hand was also forced because the midfielder has set his heart on a move to Anfield.
Liverpool’s deal for Keita comes as they are also pursuing Monaco’s France midfielder Thomas Lemar.
Liverpool are trying to see if a deal is possible before the transfer window closes on Thursday after Arsenal admitted defeat in their attempts to sign Lemar.
Monaco are reluctant to sell after losing so many top players and Liverpool would have to smash their transfer record again to land him.