Something had to give if Keita, still only 30, was to get his career back on track, and so the Guinean international joined Hungarian side Ferencvaros - managed by fellow former Red Robbie Keane no less - on loan back in January.
It tells you everything you need to know that Naby Keita's January move from Werder Bremen to Ferencvaros slipped almost imperceptibly under the radar.
Ferencvaros are the insurmountable force in Hungarian football these days, with six successive titles, but despite regularly featuring in Europe, it is perhaps not the glitzy route Keita might have envisaged his career taking at 30 years old.
Werder Bremen have made it clear that Keita has no future so he will be looking to impress potential future clubs.
Yet, having only played five times in almost two years, it will perhaps come as a surprise that Keita has now made his debut for Ferencvaros - in the B team.
