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While Liverpool are facing off against Chelsea at Anfield, the club’s backroom staff will be busy with another London opponent as they push to finalise at deal that would send Mamadou Sakho to Crystal Palace.
Though the club remain open to a loan, the hope at this stage is that the deal will be permanent and that a fee at least equal to the £18M paid for Sakho in 2013 can be secured.
Still no agreement between #LFC and Palace over a deal for Mamadou Sakho. Player in London awaiting news of a breakthrough.
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceEcho) January 31, 2017
Sakho is currently in London, and has been there for much of the day awaiting the conclusion of negotiations between the clubs so that he can finalise personal terms and undergo a medical. If a deal cannot be agreed by the 11PM GMT deadline, it is likely that Sakho will still end up at Palace—but on loan instead of permanently.
Elsewhere, despite rumours of West Ham interest in Daniel Sturridge, it appears as though Sakho will be the club’s only major outgoing deal today—and in fact their only deal of note, period, with no new signings expected to arrive.
Youngster Jordan Williams is still expected to depart permanently to either Charlton Athletic or MK Dons, while former Liverpool player Sergi Canos’ sale to Brentford will earn the club a sell-on fee.