RB Leipzig youngster Naby Keita has confirmed recent reports that he turned down the chance to join a quartet of Premier League clubs during the summer transfer window.
The 21-year-old was linked with a move to the English top flight earlier this year after impressing in his two years with Red Bull Salzburg in Austria.
Keita instead joined recently-promoted Bundesliga club Leipzig, who have gained a reputation for luring relatively untested players - such as Nottingham Forest's Oliver Burke - to the club in recent times.
Speaking to SportNet, the midfielder confirmed that Arsenal, Manchester City, Southampton and Liverpool were all keen to bring him to the Premier League, but he felt that a switch to Red Bull Arena Leipzig would prove to be his best option.
"Arsenal, Manchester City and Southampton were all interested in signing me and Liverpool as well, although I did not speak with their coach," he said.
"I did not want to join a big Champions League club right away. It is too early for that. I want to prove myself in the Bundesliga first now."
Keita has scored three times in six outings for the Red Bull-backed club, helping them to second place in the Bundesliga table.
Daniel Lewis
