Former Liverpool man Stan Collymore is of the opinion that premier league champions Chelsea could have beaten his former side to the signing of RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita during the summer window.
Keita was constantly in the news during the window and was a hot prospect linked with a handful of top clubs across Europe following his impressive performances with his German club last season.
Liverpool, however, took quick steps to his signature, and after Leipzig rejected a number of hefty offers, they agreed on a deal that will bring him to Anfield next season.
Liverpool have smartly beaten other rivals to the talented player after triggering his £48million release clause that comes into effect next summer.
And even though Antonio Conte was able to land two top midfielders before the summer transfer window was slammed shut – in the persons of Tiemoue Bakayoko and Danny Drinkwater – former Liverpool player Collymore still thinks the Italian tactician won’t be entirely happy with Chelsea’s activities in the summer.
Conte himself was giving clues whenever he was interviewed during the window, and writing in his column in the Daily Mirror, Stan named Naby as one of the stars the Stamford Bridge club should have signed during the summer.
‘Chelsea have won their last three games…[but]…I don’t think they have added to their squad enough for Conte’s liking. I expect them to be in for a Naby Keita [and] a Leonardo Bonucci. These players were up for grabs in the summer [but Chelsea] didn’t get them, even though I suspect their manager wanted them.’ he added.
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