AC Milan could reportedly end their interest in Liverpool's Naby Keita due to the midfielder's extortionate wage demands.
The Guinea international is edging closer to departing Anfield as a free agent at the end of the season and will seemingly not be penning a new contract with Jurgen Klopp's team.
Keita's five years at Liverpool have been plagued by injuries, but there were initial suggestions that Klopp wanted to keep the former RB Leipzig man on the books for a little while longer.
Keita is thought to be viewed as an important member of Klopp's squad when fully fit, but the emergence of Stefan Bajcetic has pushed him further down the pecking order.
As a result, Liverpool performed a U-turn on their decision to enter contract talks with the 28-year-old, and he is now expected to walk out of the door for nothing when the campaign comes to a close.
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A return to Leipzig has been mooted for Keita, while Barcelona are also rumoured to be in the mix as they plan for Sergio Busquets's possible exit at the end of the season.
Italian champions AC Milan have also been tipped to do battle for Keita's signature, but according to Calciomercato, the Rossoneri have been put off by the midfielder's salary demands.
Keita is thought to earn in the region of £120,000 a week at Anfield, and the report adds that Milan chiefs also harbour doubts about the signing due to his fitness troubles.
The Guinea international - who is currently dealing with a fresh knock - has sat out a total of 87 games for Liverpool since joining in a €60m (£53m) deal from Leipzig in the summer of 2018.
Keita has been restricted to just 13 appearances in all competitions this season due to his prolonged injury concerns, starting just three Premier League games and failing to bag a goal or assist.
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When fit, the 28-year-old has managed 11 goals and seven assists in 129 appearances for the Reds, and he could supposedly still end up in Serie A with Milan's city rivals Inter Milan.
Nerazzurri sporting director Piero Ausilio is thought to be a big fan of the Liverpool man, and a free transfer would appeal to Inter in the upcoming market.
Keita will likely be allowed to leave Liverpool as part of a significant summer reshuffle, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner and Juventus loanee Arthur also set to wave their goodbyes.
Despite their struggles this season, Liverpool remain one of the favourites to sign Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund, and they are said to be growing increasingly confident about their chances of a deal.
The Reds are already confirmed to be losing one-long serving player this summer, as Roberto Firmino will end his eight-year spell at the club when his contract runs out in June.
Ben Knapton
