Liverpool have a lot of work to do this summer and Jurgen Klopp is set to clear out the deadwood at Anfield, which could prove to be useful for other sides in the Premier League.
One of the players likely to be shipped out at the end of the season is French defender Mamadou Sakho, who has impressed since January after joining Premier League strugglers Crystal Palace on-loan until the end of the season.
The Independent now states the Eagles will push for the permanent signing of Sakho this summer but risk losing out in the market following the defender’s fine performances, which are likely to have raised his value and Liverpool’s asking price.
Crystal Palace boss Sam Allardyce confirmed at the weekend he’ll look to sign Sakho permanently, following the Eagles surprise 2-1 victory over Premier League leaders Chelsea, but reports indicate Sakho’s services could fetch as much as £25m.
What’s been said?
Speaking after the victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, Sam Allardyce said:
“Securing our Premier League status is our priority, and then we’ll see what Mamadou’s aspirations are, to be with us or anywhere else. His future doesn’t look as if it is at Liverpool. He’s enjoying his football and his life here. He’s brought that resilience to the team by leading by example.”
“He’s taking a commanding role in his performance and the information he’s giving out on the field. That has helped with our defensive resilience: one goal conceded in four games.”
Will he join Palace?
Sakho has excelled since joining Crystal Palace, winning all four of his matches with the Eagles thus far, and his performances have attracted interest from Italian sides and Southampton- which means Crystal Palace could easily be priced out of a deal.
For the player himself, staying in an area where he feels settled may be decisive but Sakho will also hold aspirations of forcing his way into France’s squad for the World Cup next summer- having missed Euro 2016 following a drugs ban, which was later overturned.
Sakho missed out on the latest international squad and hasn’t made the squad since last summer, with the 27-year-old now facing competition with the likes of Samuel Umtiti, Aymeric Laporte, Raphael Varane and Laurent Koscielny for a spot in France’s starting line-up.