Rumour Mongering: West Brom Interested in Sakho

We might never know what exactly transpired between Mamadou Sakho and Jürgen Klopp during the US tour last summer. But whatever it was, the talented center back has been permanently on the outs with the German manager ever since. That relationship has shown no signs of repairing, and Liverpool continue shopping the defender around England and Europe.

After a successful loan spell with Crystal Palace, the London club looked like the most likely place for Sakho to end up. However, the £30 million asking price was deemed too expensive, despite the incredibly inflated current market. Maybe Palace will change their minds if Liverpool can put five past them today.

There were also links to Southampton (when it looked like they might be short a defender) and Napoli earlier in the summer, but those links have also dried up as the summer progressed.

Now, according to The Echo, West Bromwich Albion are interested in Sakho. Tony Pulis’s side are fending off interest from Manchester City for Jonny Evans, after an £18 million bid, but are likely to let him go with an improved offer. This could open the door (and funds) for a permanent deal for Sakho.

Sakho declined a loan offer to play for West Brom last summer, but perhaps a full year on the outs would soften his stance. One stance that hasn’t changed, apparently, is Klopp’s. In a summer where we desperately need defensive reinforcements, it is bizarre that Sakho would be left to rot on the bench (or in the U23s, as was the case last fall) if a deal cannot be struck for his departure and/or replacement. Also, I’m sure Sakho will look like a world beater playing in such a notoriously defensive, low-block system.

Hopefully a permanent solution can be found that is amenable to all sides.