Mamadou Sakho’s nightmare at Liverpool should come to an end in this transfer window as the Frenchman is expected to leave the Merseyside club. The former Paris Saint-Germain defender has not played for the Reds this season and is now being linked with a move to Southampton.
The Saints are looking to sign the defender in the winter window and Mirror (via L’Equipe) claim the move has been taken up as Southampton captain Jose Fonte has handed in a transfer request. Sakho might be lacking in first team games but he certainly can do a good job if he is played regularly by the team.
The 26-year-old has been linked with a number of clubs in the winter with West Bromwich Albion and even Stoke City looking to sign the player. Even teams outside England such as Galatasaray, Inter and AC Milan have been looking to bring Sakho to their respective clubs.
Sakho, for his part, hasn’t really said much but it would be the best option for him and Liverpool to end the relationship as soon as possible. The Frenchman does need first team games and staying with the U23 or reserves isn’t helping any side.
The Frenchman was even linked with a return to his former club PSG and Ligue 1 sides Lille and Nice were also interested in signing the central defender up.
The Frenchman, at one time, was Liverpool’s best defender and a lot was expected from him but his transgressions against Klopp have cost him his place. Even the reversal of the UEFA ban which curtailed his season last time around has not been enough to save his career at the Reds and even if it is a loan move till the end of the season, the Reds should let him leave.
An opening to sign Fonte up?
The deal to send Sakho the other way could work in the favour of the Reds as they look to bring in a quality defender at the club. Fonte certainly knows the English system really well and would be a decent signing in terms of a swap deal, even if he is 33 years of age.
The Portuguese defender is a target for Manchester United as well in the window and playing under Jose Mourinho would certainly work out for Fonte. But Liverpool have a bit of an ace with the rumour of Sakho being a target for the Saints.
Fonte would be an amazing signing, even if he is for the short-term. His experience could be the difference between a top four finish and a real go for the title. Liverpool should be looking to get yet another Saints star at the club and maybe this time, nobody will complain.
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