Sakho Heads to London Ahead of Possible Crystal Palace Move

Liverpool took a risk setting Mamadou Sakho’s value at a firm £20M this month, insisting they would not sell the unwanted 26-year-oldcentre half unless a significant bid arrived. Sevilla had been interested; they fell away. Juventus were interested; they fell away. A number of French sides were interested; they fell away.

Rather than a slew of interested parties sparking a bidding war, Liverpool’s high opening gambit had scared off all the bidders, including Crystal Palace and Southampton in England. Today, as a result, word out of Liverpool was that the club would let Sakho leave on loan in the hopes playing time would boost his eventual sale price.

Palace were first back into the fray. They were later joined by Southampton. Now, though, it appears that Palace are almost certain to be the ones who land the centre half on loan for the remainder of the season, with Sakho having been spotted in London. It is believed he has headed south to complete a medical.

Liverpool hoped that demand for a French international would spark a late scramble for his services that would see some club step up with a £20M bid. That looks unlikely now, though with at least two English clubs trying to bring him on board there remains a slight chance. At the very least, there should be a loan that gets done.