:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56371585/521822874.0.jpg)
Mamadou Sakho is on his way out at Liverpool. The club may need defensive reinforcements with just a week left to run in the transfer window, but they won’t arrive by way of the French centre half reconciling with manager Jürgen Klopp and being reintegrated into the squad.
That he didn’t have a place at the club has seemed certain for some time, but until the past week it was fair to wonder if Liverpool would be able to find a permanent home for him—particularly when they were asking for £30M for a player that they clearly didn’t want any more.
It appears that won’t be an issue, though, as West Brom are reportedly preparing a £30M bid in an attempt to beat Crystal Palace to the player. Palace is Sakho’s preferred destination, but the London club have struggled to find the funds to get a deal for him done this summer.
Earlier in the week there were reports Liverpool was considering a compromise deal, with some of the £30M delayed and dependant on Palace remaining in the Premier League. West Brom, though, would beat them to the player by offering Liverpool the full amount with no strings attached.
According to The Telegraph, Jonny Evans’ imminent sale to Manchester City will allow Tony Pulis and West Brom to set a new transfer record for the club by signing Sakho. There’s also a chance it could force Palace to find the full £30M for the player from somewhere.
If they can, it’s likely Sakho would choose Palace, where he enjoyed his time on loan during the second half of last season. If they can’t, then it will mean a move to West Brom before the transfer window closes at 11PM on Thursday, August 31st.