We fully expect Mamadou Sakho to leave Liverpool permanently in the summer transfer window but the chances of him joining Crystal Palace are looking rather slim at the moment.
The Frenchman has been outstanding for Sam Allardyce’s side since moving to Selhurst Park on loan in January but it has recently been revealed that there is no option for the club to buy him at the end of the season.
Commenting on the centre-back’s contract with Palace, Allardyce told the Liverpool Echo: “There isn’t a clause because his deal was done in the Bournemouth corridor by me after we had won 2-0, and Steve (Parish) finishing the negotiation over the phone to try and secure Mama.”
“What a great deal that was. It was a negotiation on the final day of the transfer window – it was just about getting it done, getting the loan deal done, not haggling about other things other than just making sure we get him here.”
“We are not safe and can’t talk about Mama Sakho being a permanent deal here because we’re still not safe and our position in the Premier League is not safe.”
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Sakho has been key to Palace taking significant strides towards safety over recent weeks and has helped take his side six points above the relegation zone with a game in hand.
It looks increasingly unlikely that he will remain with the London club, though, with reports suggesting he could be used as part of a deal to lure £50million rated Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk to Liverpool.
Despite Sakho’s impressive form, there looks to be little chance of Jurgen Klopp having a change of heart and handing the 27-year-old another opportunity at Anfield.
Let’s just hope we aren’t made to pay for letting him leave so easily if that does turn out to be the case.