Liverpool can’t make up their minds
Jurgen Klopp needs to make a firm decision about the future of defender Mamadou Sakho. He won’t let the French defender back into his squad, but he’s determined to turn a significant profit on his sale this summer. On one hand he deems him worthless, while on the other he calls him a £30 million asset.
Reports from England claim that there’s no chance Sakho can return to Klopp’s good graces. That might suggest that Liverpool would be ready to let him go for a modest transfer fee. On the contrary, the Transfer Committee at Anfield are determined to profit at least £12 million over and above the £18 million they paid PSG to acquire him.
Fortunately, other clubs aren’t likely to be influenced by Klopp’s hypocrisy. The powerful French defender put together a solid run of eight stars on loan at Crystal Palace before injury cut his season short. His Whoscored.com player rating average of 7.05 placed him fifth on the Eagles squad.
Sakho’s lack of foot speed makes him an awkward fit for some clubs, but for those who avoid playing high lines with their back four, he can be extremely effective. His strength and massive frame allow him to be a force in the air. He’s also surprisingly quick on his feet for a player of his size.
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In the end, expect Liverpool to be forced to come off their valuation. The Reds just don’t have a ton of leverage to apply. Every club in Europe knows they don’t want to keep Sakho past the summer deadline. At some point, the thought of paying his wages next season will force Liverpool to the negotiating table.
That doesn’t mean they’ll need to give him away. A club who loses out on a player like Virgil van Dijk could certainly see Sakho as a fallback plan. For that matter, Southampton might be interested in the towering defender after they lose their star centre back.
Next: Klopp is being naive about the summer
Ultimately a transfer fee of somewhere around £25 million feels right for Sakho. Liverpool can accrue a tidy profit, but they’re not going to get rich on a player they don’t want. The sooner Sakho is allowed to leave Anfield the happier everyone will be.