Naby Keita’s hopes of joining Liverpool early have been dealt a fresh boost.
The Reds are set to welcome the midfielder into their ranks this summer but had hoped to fast-track his move by a full six months to the current transfer window.
Philippe Coutinho’s sale to Barcelona prompted Anfield officials to consider drafting in Keita sooner despite RB Leipzig unlikely to be receptive to the idea.
However the Bundesliga side appear to have softened their stance on allowing the Guinea international to leave midway through the current campaign.
According to Bild, Leipzig would be looking to command an additional fee of £13 million to facilitate the original £57m move brokered with Liverpool last summer.
That figure would be enough to allow the Red Bull-owned club to improve their squad and aid their compliance with UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations.
Liverpool are understood to be happy to pay the new premium for Keita, who has scored five times for Leipzig in 20 appearances to date this season.