The Liverpool Offside - Mamadou Sakho Completes Liverpool MoveZeppeline, Trinken, & Pink Badeshortshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51345/ltos-fav.png2013-09-02T09:46:29+01:00http://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/rss/stream/44400912013-09-02T09:46:29+01:002013-09-02T09:46:29+01:00Official: Sakho and Ilori Sign
<figure>
<img alt="Brendan Approves" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/WRMXwvXmD-cz_RryjuF3qbTA12c=/875x104:3560x1894/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/18835211/179184723.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brendan Approves | Alex Livesey</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>As Transfer Deadline Day dawns, Liverpool have wasted no time getting to work.</p> <p>While the moves certainly felt like they have been all but done since Saturday, <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Liverpool</a> has this morning officially announced the signings of center backs Mamadou Sakho from Paris Saint-Germain and Tiago Ilori from Sporting Lisbon.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Liverpool Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Frenchman Mamadou Sakho from Paris Saint-Germain. <a href="http://t.co/J0CbquFFT6">pic.twitter.com/J0CbquFFT6</a></p>
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LFC/statuses/374441780927688704">September 2, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Liverpool Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Portuguese defender Tiago Ilori from Sporting Lisbon. <a href="http://t.co/tHGgEEKpke">pic.twitter.com/tHGgEEKpke</a></p>
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LFC/statuses/374426647144841216">September 2, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>True to form, the club has also posted multiple pictures of each player leaning on random objects around Melwood, featuring the boot room and the Wall Of Motivational Quotes. They've also already posted the usual touching inspirational stories for both players, including how <span>Jamie Carragher</span> was an "inspiration" for Ilori, as well as some noise from Ian Ayre about Sakho being an "important marquee signing" for the club. Not that I disagree with the point, but, well, after all the near-misses on players this summer, it's hard not to take that with a shaker of salt.</p>
<p>Given that the two were in the stands at Anfield alongside a leather jacket clad <span>Victor Moses</span> yesterday, we should expect to see news of his loan deal being confirmed within the next few hours, if not sooner. The club now has plenty of time to try and nail one one or two more signings (I'll take some Lucas cover, please and thank you), as well as start working on loans for some of the youth players in need of senior squad minutes.</p>
<p>I'll be back later today with player profiles of Sakho and Ilori, as well as any other new signings that develop as the day goes on.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-transfer-rumours/2013/9/2/4685250/liverpool-confirm-sakho-and-ilori-signings-transfer-deadlneConor Dowley2013-08-31T14:37:58+01:002013-08-31T14:37:58+01:00Sakho on Merseyside for Liverpool Medical
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9toWjOU2EnA-I-0u_qepSlFjpyI=/0x668:2400x2268/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/18738667/154236108.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Denis Doyle</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>After Friday saw a potential deal for the PSG defender advance in leaps and bounds, Mamadou Sakho has now been pictured in Liverpool gear as he reportedly gets set for a medical.</p> <p>We've had to exercise caution with <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Liverpool's</a> high-profile transfer targets this summer, mostly because they never really panned out. To this point you'd have to say that <span>Simon Mignolet</span> is probably the biggest capture of the summer--by price alone the Belgian goalkeeper was the club's biggest piece of business during a window that started quickly but underwhelmed as July and most of August passed. It all seems to be kicking back off with only three days left, though, as Mamadou Sakho's arrived for a Liverpool medical, rumored to be the first of three on the day with Tiago Ilori and <span>Victor Moses</span>.</p>
<p>There hasn't been as much to indicate that Moses is a lock, but the deal for Ilori appeared to be settled yesterday along with the fee for Sakho. Reports have the former PSG man costing Liverpool £18m rather than the £13m that was reported yesterday; there's obviously not any confirmation just yet, and no details if that's an up-front package or something that includes add-ons and etceteras. Either way, it's a significant amount of money, but not a sum that's concerning for me--bigger name, position of need, and it's late in the window.</p>
<p>Possibly so late that someone might need to wake him up before the medical so it can actually get done.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Welcome to Liverpool, Sakho. Chuffed with this one! <a href="http://t.co/sRiMareEdv">pic.twitter.com/sRiMareEdv</a></p>
— Dominic Campbell (@dom_campbell) <a href="https://twitter.com/dom_campbell/statuses/373791981480468480">August 31, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<p>Close to being settled now, and hopefully later in the day we'll be able to celebrate the deal being officially official.</p>
<h4>More from The Liverpool Offside:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/liverpool-transfer-rumours/2013/8/30/4675798/tiago-ilori-liverpool-transfer-8m-mamadou-sakho-deal-agreed?utm_source=liverpool.theoffside&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Liverpool Close to Deals for Mamadou Sakho and Tiago Ilori</a></li>
<li><a href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/liverpool-transfer-rumours/2013/8/31/4678318/liverpool-transfers-mkhitaryan-costa-willian-failures-werner-interview?utm_source=liverpool.theoffside&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Werner: Liverpool Had to Have "Discipline" in Transfer Business</a></li>
<li><a href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/liverpool-transfer-rumours/2013/8/30/4673674/shay-given-liverpool-brendan-rodgers-aston-villa-brad-jones?utm_source=liverpool.theoffside&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Shay Given Linked With Liverpool Move</a></li>
<li><a href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/liverpool-transfer-rumours/2013/8/29/4671558/liverpool-transfer-news-andriy-yarmolenko-odds-papadopoulos-renewed-interest?utm_source=liverpool.theoffside&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Rumour Mongering: Beyond Thunderdome Edition</a></li>
<li><a href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/liverpool-transfer-rumours/2013/8/29/4670094/brendan-rodgers-liverpool-transfer-window-panic?utm_source=liverpool.theoffside&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Can Liverpool Beat the Transfer Deadline?</a></li>
</ul>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-transfer-rumours/2013/8/31/4679000/mamadou-sakho-liverpool-medical-transfer-agreed-Ed-2013-08-30T16:16:43+01:002013-08-30T16:16:43+01:00Liverpool Close to Deals for Sakho and Ilori
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/io_DreGMnYFXivp3moCSkSwYHok=/0x470:2665x2247/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/18687799/150178962.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Valerio Pennicino</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Liverpool are reportedly close to wrapping up a deals for young Portuguese defender Tiago Ilori and PSG's Mamadou Sakho as the summer transfer window draws to a close. </p> <p>Kolo Toure's injury against Notts County on Tuesday night was a cruel double blow--it left Liverpool short-handed for the rest of a match they'd eventually win, but it also served as a painful reminder of the work left to be done in the transfer window. If reports today in England and France are to be believed, the club are close to completing a good portion of that work, with a fee agreed for Sporting's Tiago Ilori and a deal apparently in the closing stages for PSG's Mamadou Sakho.</p>
<p>As we've repeatedly noted, the interest in Ilori has been around for much of the summer; Liverpool were priced out of the deal early but have come back for more, and <i>The Mirror</i>'s David Maddock <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/liverpool-transfers-tiago-ilori-sign-2238534">has the club finally matching Sporting's valuation</a> of somewhere in the neighborhood of £8m. That's a significant cost, but if reports of interest across the continent are to be believed, it's a necessary one to bring aboard a player that Brendan Rodgers and company clearly rate.</p>
<p>What's most interesting is that Ilori has apparently been given assurances that he will be an integral part of the first team setup. For a 20 year old that's featured sparingly at the senior level that's a significant promise for the club to make, and one that further crowds <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Liverpool's</a> other central defenders--namely <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110728/martin-skrtel" class="sbn-auto-link">Martin Skrtel</a> and, when he's back to fitness, Sebastian Coates--out of the picture.</p>
<p>For a short time this morning the news about Ilori was the only transfer news available, and combined with last night's revelation that the club were in for <span>Shay Given</span> as a backup goalkeeper, it was underwhelming and disappointing stuff.</p>
<p>Enter <i>L'Equipe</i>, who are <a target="_blank" href="http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Sakho-le-psg-et-liverpool-proche-d-un-accord/396910">now asserting that Liverpool are close to a deal for Mamadou Sakho</a>, who's been heavily linked with a move to Merseyside in the past few weeks. The figure being touted now is around £13-14m, which would be close to the money discussed previously. At 23 he's not too much older than Ilori, but he'd arrive with a host of experience at the highest level and is generally viewed as someone who's ready now rather than in a few years.</p>
<p>If Liverpool manage to complete both deals in the coming hours or days, it's a step toward finishing the transfer window well. The links to Given still underwhelm, but Ilori and Sakho satisfy the needs in defense for both now and later, and the club can hopefully move on to bringing in reinforcements in attack.</p>
<h4>More from The Liverpool Offside:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/2013/8/30/4673370/liverpool-transfer-news-gerrard-hopeful-more-players-to-come-in?utm_source=liverpool.theoffside&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Gerrard: "Hopefully There Are More Players to Come in"</a></li>
<li><a href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/liverpool-transfer-rumours/2013/8/29/4671558/liverpool-transfer-news-andriy-yarmolenko-odds-papadopoulos-renewed-interest?utm_source=liverpool.theoffside&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Rumour Mongering: Beyond Thunderdome Edition</a></li>
<li><a href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/liverpool-transfer-rumours/2013/8/29/4672120/ac-milan-drop-out-of-sakho-race-liverpool-transfer-news?utm_source=liverpool.theoffside&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">AC Milan Reportedly Drop Out of Sakho Race</a></li>
<li><a href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/liverpool-transfer-rumours/2013/8/29/4670094/brendan-rodgers-liverpool-transfer-window-panic?utm_source=liverpool.theoffside&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Can Liverpool Beat the Transfer Deadline?</a></li>
<li><a href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/2013/8/29/4669756/Steven-gerrard-kolo-toure-manchester-united-brendan-rodgers-injury?utm_source=liverpool.theoffside&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Gerrard: "We Have Ourselves To Blame"</a></li>
</ul>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-transfer-rumours/2013/8/30/4675798/tiago-ilori-liverpool-transfer-8m-mamadou-sakho-deal-agreed-Ed-2013-08-29T18:14:25+01:002013-08-29T18:14:25+01:00AC Milan Reportedly Drop Out of Sakho Race
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5ufTKzsRIZMeCZX-vbi8hH2keMY=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/18629349/163273066.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Dean Mouhtaropoulos</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>More good news arrives on the potential arrival of Mamadou Sakho as AC Milan end interest in the Paris Saint Germain defender. Liverpool could be front runners in any potential deal with the French club.</p> <p>Liverpool need at least one centre back in light of recent injury trauma and uncertainty surrounding current defensive personnel. Martin Skrtel's current position in the squad is perilous. Yet queries don't stop there. <span>Kolo Toure</span>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110183/daniel-agger">Daniel Agger</a>, and <span>Andre Wisdom</span> have questions surrounding them related to injuries, durability, and experience. Mamadou Sakho has been linked with Liverpool but it was uncertain that he would leave his home-town club. Any questions on Sakho's intentions were dispelled by the revelation from PSG President, Nasser al-Khelaifi that <a href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/liverpool-transfer-rumours/2013/8/28/4667274/mamadou-sakho-wants-to-leave-psg-transfer-news-liverpool" target="_blank">Mamadou Sakho actually wants to leave the club</a>.</p>
<p>Serie A side, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://acmilan.theoffside.com/">AC Milan</a>, were linked with a move for Sakho but the Italian giants have reportedly decided to focus on other positions. There have been rumours that the AC Milan hierarchy were looking to improve on first-choice pairing <span>Cristián Zapata</span> and <span>Philippe Mexes</span> or at least add greater competition with experienced stalwart <span>Daniele Bonera</span> out until October. Matias Silvestre was a summer arrival from rivals Internazionale on a loan-to-buy deal while 19 year-old Jherson Vergara, a new signing, is due to return from a pre-season injury in September.</p>
<p>Despite AC Milan's own central defensive worries, Max Allegri is looking elsewhere. <a href="http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/502359/20130829/mamadou-sakho-liverpool-psg-ac-milan.htm" target="_blank">AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani confirmed</a>, "Our coach has specifically asked for a centre forward. Not a second striker, nor a midfielder or defender." Roma are still believed to be in the picture as a replacement is sought for Marquinhos, who incidentally left the Italian capital club for PSG. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool's</a> interest appears to be genuine according to the BBC's Ben Smith on twitter, who was kind enough to reply to an inquisitive member of the social networking service.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/olliefoxy">@olliefoxy</a> Sakho is a player <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23LFC&src=hash">#LFC</a> like.</p>
— Ben Smith (@BenSmithBBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenSmithBBC/statuses/373095663606562816">August 29, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>More news should arrive over the next few days as central defence remains a position in need of quality assistance. If a deal is struck with PSG for the transfer of Sakho to Liverpool, Sakho would only need to spend less than 90 minutes to fly from Paris to Liverpool.</p>
<h4>More from The Liverpool Offside:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/liverpool-transfer-rumours/2013/8/29/4670094/brendan-rodgers-liverpool-transfer-window-panic?utm_source=liverpool.theoffside&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Can Liverpool Beat the Transfer Deadline?</a></li>
<li><a href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/liverpool-transfer-rumours/2013/8/28/4667274/mamadou-sakho-wants-to-leave-psg-transfer-news-liverpool?utm_source=liverpool.theoffside&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">PSG Owner Reveals Sakho "Wants to Leave"</a></li>
<li><a href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/2013/8/28/4666350/sakho-rumours-resurface-amidst-new-injury-concerns?utm_source=liverpool.theoffside&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Sakho Rumours Resurface Amidst New Injury Concerns</a></li>
<li><a href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/2013/8/29/4669756/Steven-gerrard-kolo-toure-manchester-united-brendan-rodgers-injury?utm_source=liverpool.theoffside&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Gerrard: "We Have Ourselves To Blame"</a></li>
<li><a href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/2013/8/28/4663974/liverpool-notts-county-league-cup-recap-toure-injury-update-goals-sturridge?utm_source=liverpool.theoffside&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Liverpool 4, Notts County 2 (aet): A Costly Win</a></li>
</ul>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-transfer-rumours/2013/8/29/4672120/ac-milan-drop-out-of-sakho-race-liverpool-transfer-newsCStars2013-08-28T14:03:59+01:002013-08-28T14:03:59+01:00PSG Owner Reveals Sakho "Wants to Leave"
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3CfShkeuVF3ee5peF7FqCTYR5K0=/0x252:2663x2027/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/18553663/160842968.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Dennis Grombkowski</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Liverpool fans hoping to see the arrival of Mamadou Sakho at Anfield before the end of the summer received a boost today when PSG's owner admitted the player wants to leave France this month.</p> <p align="justify">With Kolo Toure joining <span>Sebastian Coates</span> on the sidelines while the status of Martin Skrtel—injured, "injured," or simply so far out of favour he isn't in consideration to make the bench against a League One side—remains up in the air, it was likely inevitable that rumours <a target="_blank" href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/2013/8/28/4666350/sakho-rumours-resurface-amidst-new-injury-concerns">linking Liverpool to PSG's Mamadou Sakho</a> would begin to grow once again. And whether or not Sakho heads to Anfield, it seems almost certain he will be leaving PSG this summer.<br><br>"This is a child of the club, just as <span>Steven Gerrard</span> is at Liverpool [so] I'm a little surprised that he wants to leave," Nasser al-Khelaifi, PSG's president, told L'Equipe. "I had a discussion with him. My position is very clear and he knows it: we want to keep him and we will do everything we can to do that [but] the defender is out of contract next summer and has rejected the club's new two-year-deal."<br><br>With the long-term health of Kyriakos Papadopoulos's knee remans up in the air and Toby Alderweild looking more likely to head to La Liga after Atletico Madrid made the summer's first formal offer for the player—one Ajax rejected in the hopes Atletico will raise it—Sakho seems the most likely of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool's</a> oft-rumours centre half targets to arrive at Anfield before the window closes.<br><br>However, the English club will face stiff competition for Sakho, with Roma and Milan reportedly continuing to chase the French defender and new whispers of Napoli interest.</p>
<h4>More from The Liverpool Offside:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/2013/8/28/4667024/liverpool-bill-shankly-anniversary-100?utm_source=liverpool.theoffside&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">What Does Bill Shankly Mean to You?</a></li>
<li><a href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/2013/8/28/4666350/sakho-rumours-resurface-amidst-new-injury-concerns?utm_source=liverpool.theoffside&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Sakho Rumours Resurface Amidst New Injury Concerns</a></li>
<li><a href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/2013/8/28/4663974/liverpool-notts-county-league-cup-recap-toure-injury-update-goals-sturridge?utm_source=liverpool.theoffside&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Liverpool 4, Notts County 2 (aet): A Costly Win</a></li>
<li><a href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/2013/8/27/4663758/raheem-sterling-senior-england-call-up-gerrard-sturridge-liverpool-world-cup-qualifiers?utm_source=liverpool.theoffside&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Sterling Handed Senior England Call-Up</a></li>
<li><a href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/liverpool-transfer-rumours/2013/8/27/4663214/oussama-assaidi-agrees-stoke-loan-liverpool-transfer-news?utm_source=liverpool.theoffside&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Assaidi Agrees Stoke Move</a></li>
</ul>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-transfer-rumours/2013/8/28/4667274/mamadou-sakho-wants-to-leave-psg-transfer-news-liverpoolNoel Chomyn2013-08-28T05:00:02+01:002013-08-28T05:00:02+01:00Sakho Rumours Resurface Amidst New Injury Concerns
<figure>
<img alt="King Kolo." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jzZ9dVZjsFHnIPX5yWLQU-QvO1I=/1088x58:3408x1605/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/18543115/176676967.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>King Kolo. | Clive Brunskill</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Liverpool have three injured or coming-back-from-injury centre backs, which is not at all a position that has needed reinforcing all summer. Cue the re-emergence of Mamadou Sakho.</p> <p>Defensive reinforcements were at the top of the wish list of most Liverpool fans this season, and while the quantity brought in may not yet be to the satisfaction of many, competition at left back arrived in the form of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110232/aly-cissokho" class="sbn-auto-link">Aly Cissokho</a> and <span>Kolo Toure</span> went from grudgingly tolerated back-up to cult favourite in the span of just a few matches. Of course, because we can't have nice things, both new recruits left the match early due to injury, leaving Brendan Rodgers to survey his increasingly depleted stock of defenders.</p>
<p>"Kolo Toure, we need to assess it," <a target="_blank" href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.liverpoolfc.com%2Fnews%2Flatest-news%2F143636-brendan-kolo-injury-doesn-t-look-good&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fliverpooloffside.sbnation.com%2F2013%2F8%2F28%2F4666350%2Fsakho-rumours-resurface-amidst-new-injury-concerns" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">Rodgers stated</a>. "His groin opened up a wee bit. He overstretched his groin and it doesn't look so good, to be honest. Yes, [<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110728/martin-skrtel" class="sbn-auto-link">Martin Skrtel</a>] will be fine. Tonight was too soon for him but he's been back training for a few days.</p>
<p>"Cissokho was devastated. He shouldn't be too long. He's got a knock in his ankle. He was distraught to come off in his first start here. We'll know more in the morning but it wasn't a good night injury-wise."</p>
<p>A fresh-from-injury Skrtel paired with a three-matches-in-eight-days <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110183/daniel-agger" class="sbn-auto-link">Daniel Agger</a> should bring all the positive feelings ahead of <a href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Manchester United's</a> visit to Anfield on Sunday, but Rodgers doesn't have many (read: any) other choices barring a bold decision to start <span>Andre Wisdom</span> next to Agger or a centre back saviour parachuting into Liverpool in the dying days of the transfer window.</p>
<p>Whether it's pure coincidence or the work of savvy rumour mongers happy to capitaize on <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Liverpool's</a> misfortune, stories linking Mamadou Sakho to a move to Merseyside have resurfaced again after the story <a target="new" href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/2013/6/29/4476596/mamadou-sakho-linked-to-liverpool">first popped up in June</a>. Several periodicals of note, including the <a target="new" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2403527/Liverpool-eye-deal-Paris-Saint-Germain-star-Mamadou-Sakho.html">Daily Mail</a> and <a target="new" href="http://talksport.com/football/transfer-insider-sakho-close-liverpool-move-ba-nears-chelsea-exit-door-13082757362">talkSPORT</a>, have revived the story in which a deal could go through quickly if only PSG and Liverpool could agree on a fee. Sakho was previously "flattered" to be linked to a move to Merseyside, but it remains to be revealed whether or not he whiled away many youthful hours playing as the club in everyone's favourite football video game.</p>
<p>The silver lining many are hoping to take from this injury predicament is the possibility that it will finally force the club's ownership to sign a centre back before the transfer window closes. Whether that player is Sakho, the often linked Kyriakos Papadopoulos, or someone else entirely is still up in the air, but it will have to be a job that gets done quickly, and not just to avoid another Spurs entanglement.</p>
<h4>More from The Liverpool Offside:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/2013/8/28/4663974/liverpool-notts-county-league-cup-recap-toure-injury-update-goals-sturridge?utm_source=liverpool.theoffside&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Liverpool 4, Notts County 2 (aet): A Costly Win</a></li>
<li><a href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/2013/8/26/4657622/brendan-rodgers-liverpool-capital-one-cup-notts-county-?utm_source=liverpool.theoffside&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Rodgers Needs to Test Squad Depth</a></li>
<li><a href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/2013/8/26/4655398/liverpool-aston-villa-brendan-rodgers-globetrotters-bill-shankly-100?utm_source=liverpool.theoffside&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Everything's the Worst: The Misfortune of Victory Edition</a></li>
<li><a href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/liverpool-transfer-rumours/2013/8/26/4658720/victor-moses-liverpool-loan-chelsea-2m-deal-willian-transfer?utm_source=liverpool.theoffside&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Liverpool Reportedly Interested in Victor Moses Loan from Chelsea</a></li>
<li><a href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/liverpool-transfer-rumours/2013/8/27/4663214/oussama-assaidi-agrees-stoke-loan-liverpool-transfer-news?utm_source=liverpool.theoffside&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Assaidi Agrees Stoke Move</a></li>
</ul>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2013/8/28/4666350/sakho-rumours-resurface-amidst-new-injury-concernsStitch Invader2013-07-21T10:00:06+01:002013-07-21T10:00:06+01:00Back To The Center Again
<figure>
<img alt="If nothing else, Astori has the ol' ball-levitation trick down pat. " src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zvpQsNs_QMN5ewCVUomjnC_3b_4=/585x30:3920x2253/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/16541897/170820550.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>If nothing else, Astori has the ol' ball-levitation trick down pat. | Dean Mouhtaropoulos</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>With a relatively clear need for more options and quality at the back, it's time to examine who some of those options could be in the middle of the defense.</p> <p>There's been plenty of talk a new centerback in Merseyside beyond <span>Kolo Toure</span>, and while most of the discussion has focused on the likes of Kyriako Papadopolous and Toby Alderweireld, there's a number of other options who are potentially available as well. Right now it's looking as though Toure will be the starter when Stoke visit Anfield to open the Premier League season on August 17, as he's started both preseason matches and looked solid alongside Daniel Agger. Most view this as cause for concern, however, and there's a consensus that Liverpool need to add a central defender in the coming weeks.</p>
<p>I generally fit the options Liverpool has to look at for the position in to two categories: <i>Veterans With Something To Prove</i> and <i>Young Players On The Verge</i>. The veteran is a player who's previously been established, but for one reason or another (injury, bad luck, or another player being bought over him) is either not at a club he wants to be at, or wants to prove that he can still play at a high level. The young player is a guy not unlike what we saw with Matija Nastasic and Raphael Varane last season: young players who looked the business, but haven't quite had their breakout yet. A move to a bigger club with better training and coaching resources could be that last push they need to take the next step.</p>
<p>With that in mind, let's look at a couple players who fit each category.</p>
<p align="center"><img alt="liverpool blog fc sbn" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/images/blog/star-divide.v5e9d7f1.jpg" style="border: 5px solid white;"></p>
<p><b>Veterans With Something To Prove</b></p>
<p><b><br>Mamadou Sakho</b>, Paris Saint-Germain<br>Sakho has been discussed here at times, and with the news of Marquinhos signing for PSG, he might finally come available to those who are interested. A centreback who combines both physical and athletic traits (i.e. a cross of Agger and Skrtel), Sakho is a well-balanced player who appears to fit Rodgers' ideas of a defender. A can bang with the toughest attackers in the box just as well as he can range forward and support the attack, and he's pretty damn handy on both ends of set pieces, too.</p>
<p>The question is whether or not Sakho will even be available. The 23-year old made some noises in the media about wanting to move on, and his star has fallen somewhat in the last year as <span>Carlo Ancelotti</span> frequently preferred Alex to partner with <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/141782/thiago-silva" class="sbn-auto-link">Thiago Silva</a> in the middle of PSG's defense. The arrival of Marquinhos could herald his departure, though it's just as easily possible that new manager Laurent Blanc would rather keep a hold of his one-time French national team player and sell Alex. If he is made available, however, Liverpool should jump at the chance as quickly as they can.</p>
<p><b><span>Davide Astori</span></b>, Cagliari<br>Astori is well-established for the mid-table Italian side, making over 140 appearances for the Sardinian club. However, it's starting to appear that he's done about all he can, as Cagliari is not a team that's likely to ever significantly challenge Serie A's heavyweights. A skilled ball-playing defender, the 26 year old Astori is one of the best defenders in his league, but his club's limitations has left him stuck on the fringes of the Italian national team.</p>
<p>Astori would make a solid addition to <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Liverpool's</a> defense, albeit not one with as flashy a resume as some are hoping for. Still, he's got a solid head on his shoulders, positions himself well in relation to his partner, and reads inbound runs nicely. He also shouldn't be too terribly expensive, and there already has been noise in the Italian media about interest in Astori, both domestically and abroad. This would be a very smart, if unheralded, pickup for Brendan Rodgers to make.</p>
<p align="center"><img alt="liverpool blog fc sbn" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/images/blog/star-divide.v5e9d7f1.jpg" style="border: 5px solid white;"></p>
<p><b>Young Players On The Verge</b></p>
<p><b><br>Kurt Zouma</b>, AS Saint-Etienne<br>Zouma has been frequently linked with various high-level clubs this summer in the press, and despite his manager's insistence that the club wishes to keep him, it seems likely that it's time for him to move onward and upward. A strong performance for France in the U-20 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-cup-2014" class="sbn-auto-link">World Cup</a> has only heightened that impression. Zouma's a pacy defender with strong ball-playing instincts, and has more potential in his 6'2" frame than all but a few defensive prospects in the world.</p>
<p>Zouma definitely has some rawness in his game, especially in the more physical elements of playing the position, but watching match footage of him, it seems likely that these are issues that will resolve as he develops both physically and as a player. Getting the 18 year old won't be easy; he's been linked strongly with <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chelsea</a> this summer, and various reports have linked other big sides with him as well. That said, a strong bid should attract Saint-Etienne's interest, and Liverpool should be able to offer sufficient playing time to catch Zouma's eye as well. The potential cost (rumored to be well north of £10 million) is a risk, but one worth taking in this instance.</p>
<p><b>Matthias Ginter</b>, SC Freiburg<br>I watched a lot of Freiburg last season, as they were a fun story in the Bundesliga, and I came to really appreciate the young Ginter. The 19 year old quietly became one of Freiburg's best players as the season went on, displaying defensive skills and awareness far superior to those you generally see at his age. Unfortunately, Freiburg seems poised for a regression this season, as it was generally felt that they had over-achieved last season, and have now lost many of their best players to the transfer market.</p>
<p>That could leave them more determined to hang on to Ginter, but if he is to take the next step in his development, he needs to move to a club that can offer him more than Freiburn can. He shouldn't be horrifically expensive; Freiburg needs every Euro they can get their hands on in order to stay up. On the flip side of that, Ginter is also vitally important to those efforts, and selling him would be a signal that they may have given up on that hope. Still, if he can be wrested away from the German side, he would be a great addition to Liverpool's defense, and could rapidly work his way in to the rotation at the back and become a major part of the team.</p>
<p align="center"><img alt="liverpool blog fc sbn" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/images/blog/star-divide.v5e9d7f1.jpg" style="border: 5px solid white;"></p>
<p><b>Keeping It In Merseyside</b></p>
<p>There is, of course, another option available to Liverpool. <span>Martin Kelly</span> and <span>Andre Wisdom</span> have been used as depth at right-back in recent times, but both came up in the Academy as center backs before making the change at the senior level. Kelly especially was well-regarded at the position, but Wisdom is no slouch himself. It's believed by some (myself included) that taking away the stress of all the runs that fullbacks must go on could also help Kelly to avoid as many of the injuries as he's suffered in recent years.</p>
<p>Such a move would likely necessitate <a target="_blank" href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/liverpool-transfer-rumours/2013/7/15/4523964/liverpool-transfer-targets-fullback-bertrand-willems-pereira">making a move for a right-back </a>to shore up the depth there, or necessitate a larger reliance on Ryan McLaughlin than currently seems to be planned, but could still allow the club to best use it's resources, both in finances and personnel currently in the squad. Of course, <span>Sebastian Coates</span> could have something to say in the matter as well, but last season displayed what appeared to be distrust in the big Uruguayan defender from the club's management, to an extent that I'm not sure he'd even be given a significant chance to earn a place in the coming season's defense.</p>
<p align="center"><img alt="liverpool blog fc sbn" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/images/blog/star-divide.v5e9d7f1.jpg" style="border: 5px solid white;"></p>
<p>The way the squad currently lies, this could wind up being one of the more vital positions for Liverpool to figure out for the upcoming season. Fortunately, they're not limited in their options on how to address it.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-transfer-rumours/2013/7/21/4532902/central-defenders-transfer-options-liverpool-zouma-ginter-sakho-astori-kelly-wisdomConor Dowley2013-06-29T06:00:07+01:002013-06-29T06:00:07+01:00Mamadou Sakho Linked to Liverpool
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_5V-_-FfQ-xSO7qfxbaKt__PfqA=/0x440:2478x2092/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/15595465/150178962.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Valerio Pennicino</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Liverpool continue to be linked with a variety of centre backs and with Martin Skrtel's future remaining unclear, Sakho has quietly come onto the club's transfer radar. Or maybe it's just another Silly Season Saturday. Who can say?</p> <p>With dramatic twists involving <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Liverpool</a> transfer targets popping up every five seconds, one transfer story that has not received much attention yet revolves around Paris Saint-Germain centre back Mamadou Sakho. The twenty-three year-old has been offered a new contract by the Ligue 1 champions, but like many players in the midst of contract negotiations he's the focus of interest for many other clubs.</p>
<p>The source of Sakho's hesitation in signing a new contract with his boyhood club is his apparent decrease in first team football. The player featured in thirty-four matches across all competitions last season, which was actually an increase from the previous year; however, between PSG's league matches, their run to the quarterfinals in all three cup competitions they participated in, and Carlo Ancelotti's preference for other defensive options, Sakho's overall lack of playing time proved disappointing for the player.</p>
<p>"I have to take a decision," <a target="new" href="http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/8797334/">the player said</a>. "PSG are my club. I was born here and learnt my football here. I want to play for this club my entire life but it has to be clear that I don't want to sit on the bench.</p>
<p>"I did not play as much I like last season because of the manager's choices. Every player wants to play every week and I am no different. I am flattered to be linked with clubs of the history of Liverpool and AC Milan. We will see what happens in the near future."</p>
<p>The links, admittedly, seem tenuous at best and it would hardly be surprising if the source of said links was a poorly covered up tip from his management team. Still, the player isn't necessarily an appallingly poor fit for Liverpool as he ticks many of the boxes on both the club's and fans' check lists: buying ALL THE YOUTH who can't break into the first team, a centre back who can double as left back when called upon, and a <a target="new" href="http://forum.juventuz.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=37257&stc=1&d=1232134220">dead</a> <a target="new" href="http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/sahko-horror-hair1-650x377.png">cert</a> for inclusion on any future <a target="new" href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/2013/5/3/4297796/liverpool-power-rankings-hair-edition-suso-brad-jones-coutinho">Power Rankings: Hair Edition</a> list.</p>
<p>I won't pretend to know anything about Sakho as I pay very little attention to Ligue 1 (which is to say: no attention whatsoever), but the bastion of accurate and quality sports information that is Wikipedia declares the Frenchman to be known for "his leadership credentials, his tireless engine, hard-working attitude, and his tackling ability." Sounds great! I'm not terribly convinced there's much here beyond agent bluffing, but in the unlikely event the man ends up on Merseyside, here's a video of Sakho featuring some rad tackles and cool goals that will help us become experts on his game play. Sports!</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/lhSKLnNGbyg?rel=0" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2013/6/29/4476596/mamadou-sakho-linked-to-liverpoolStitch Invader