Forgotten Premier League champion’s Sunderland transfer ‘collapsed’ just one year after £120k-a-week contract ended

FORMER Liverpool star Naby Keita saw a shock move to Sunderland collapse during the transfer window, according to reports.

The midfielder won seven major trophies during his five years at Anfield, including the Premier League and Champions League.

Keita left the club last year on a free transfer and joined Werder Bremen.

But the 29-year-old is again on the lookout for a new side and this summer he came close to signing for Sunderland.

The Guardian report that the Black Cats had a strong interest in the player but were unable to agree personal terms, which led to the deal falling through.

With the Turkish transfer window still open, Keita is now set to join Istanbul Basaksehir.

His failure to agree a contract with Sunderland comes just a year after his supposed £120,000-a-week deal expired at Liverpool.

The Reds paid £48million for him in 2018, but injuries prevented him from ever establishing himself as first choice, making 129 appearances in total.

Keita also had a tough time at Werder Bremen, being banned from the squad after refusing to get on the team’s bus.

He was told by manager Ole Werner that he did not even make the bench against Bayer Leverkusen but still expected to travel.

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Keita, who played just five times for the club and not after the incident in April, instead went home.

Over the summer, the Guinea star represented his country at the Paris 2024 Olympics and was their flagbearer.