In a surprising development Naby Keita might just play a role in Liverpool landing Liam Delap.
The Guinean midfielder, who was always an enigma during his time at Anfield and spent more time in the treatment room than on the pitch, is enjoying his football again.
Still in his prime years, Keita is now lining up for Ferencvaros in the Hungarian top flight after joining the club last year. He’s recently celebrated his 30th birthday and is on a mission to win a league title with the Hungarian giants.
Ferencvaros are currently two points away from first place Puskas Akademia but still have to face them on the 3rd of May which could decide the title.
It’s not an unfamiliar situation for Keita who fought league title battles against Manchester City at Liverpool and is now doing a good job at commanding the midfield for Ferencvaros, with his minutes being carefully managed.
He’s been in good spirits since joining the club as well, full of smiles and very much determined to kick his career on.
Keita has integrated into the team very well, has a blossoming relationship with the club’s young star Alex Toth and he’s very much been working closely alongside the club’s manager Robbie Keane.
Keita working with Liam Delap’s dad
The Republic of Ireland legend will be familiar to Liverpool fans as well having spent a brief spell at the club, and many years in the Premier League.
Keane joined Ferencvaros towards the end of last year around the same time as Keita. But it’s not just him who joined the club’s coaching staff during December.
Stoke City cult hero, Rory Delap is working alongside Keane as his assistant manager. Delap was known for his time in the Premier League for his long throws, which he is now teaching Keita at Ferencvaros’ impressive Nepliget training ground.
Keane and Delap have seemingly struck up a close relationship with Keita, who they have allowed to flourish again and this could help Liverpool in their pursuit of Liam Delap.
Liverpool have got Liam Delap on their list
As you might have guessed, the Ipswich Town forward is Rory’s son. He came through the academy system at Manchester City and is now on Liverpool’s radar.
According to the Daily Mail, Manchester United have made him their top target but Liverpool and Chelsea also want to sign the 22-year-old forward who has a £40m relegation release clause in his contract.
Ipswich are destined to be relegated from the top flight so that release clause is all but guaranteed.
What isn’t guaranteed is who Delap will decide to join. Undoubtedly, he will enlist the help of his father who spent so many years playing in the Premier League to make that decision.
And Delap senior will undoubtedly speak to those around the game he knows in order to help his son decide.
Will Keita be consulted over Delap deal?
This could see Keita playing a key role, having only left Liverpool recently, he will be able to give intel about every aspect of the club’s training ground and facilities as well as everything else.
Being the provider of that kind of information could in turn see Keita playing a key role in the future of Delap Junior and Liverpool’s £40m pursuit.
Of course, Keane could have his input, too. Being a striker and having played in front of the Anfield crowd, hopefully both him and Keita will have positive things to say to Delap Senior on the training ground at Ferencvaros.
In the boardroom at Liverpool, Richard Hughes will then hope that all those positive affirmations will then see him able to land one of the most exciting young forwards in the Premier League at the moment.