Seems like Liverpool are standing firm in their stance of not letting Mamadou Sakho leave on loan. The French centre-half, who was exiled from the squad last summer, has attracted an interest not just from the Premier League clubs, but from the other hosts as well.
However, Liverpool’s demand of €30m (£27.7m) is proving to be the stumbling block for every interested party involved. Sakho, in order to revive his Liverpool career, rejected a move to Stoke last season but had to settle down for a second-half loan tenure to Crystal Palace. The Eagles’ management, as well as the fans, were left impressed despite Sakho playing just eight Premier League games.
This followed with Palace launching an inquiry for a permanent transfer, but Liverpool’s asking price for the player who hasn’t played for them since the start of the 2016-17 season was enough to look some place else. They eventually landed a young Jaïro Riedewald.
Another opportunity has come knocking on Liverpool’s door this time around. Serie A giants Inter Milan are searching for a physical centre-half and have been tracking Manchester City’s Eliaquim Mangala for a long time. But it seems like they might have reached a dead end. Hence, Sakho has been identified as a possible back-up.
#Inter, per la difesa piace anche #Sakho ma il Liverpool non vuole cederlo in prestito (rifiutata offerta Crystal Palace). Richiesti 30m€
— Matteo Pedrosi (@MatteoPedrosi) August 24, 2017
Italian journalist Matteo Pedrosi has claimed that Inter made a loan offer for the ‘Klopp reject’ but Liverpool brushed off their bid, claiming that they only want a permanent solution for the player. But then again, a €30m price tag is something the Italians are reluctant on cashing.
While at the other end, Independent claims that Crystal Palace are still hopeful of a compromise, however, if they indeed fail to land the Frenchman, the likes of Kevin Wimmer and Ognjen Vranjes will be pursued. It also claims that West Brom are keeping eyes on him as well, as they are looking out for a left-sided central defender. With the future of Jonny Evans under heavy scrutiny, Sakho could well and truly be a perfect match for Pulis.
Sakho surely isn’t short of any suitors only Liverpool are finding it hard to land one. Liverpool, as well as the other parties involved, will hope to set a middle ground for the Frenchman, who is competing for a spot in Didier Deschamps’ squad for the 2018 World Cup before the transfer window slams shut.
