Liverpool aren’t willing to allow Mamadou Sakho to leave on loan, as Swansea City become the latest club to be linked with the out-of-favour centre-back.
The Frenchman is set to leave the club this month, after his exile from the first-team setup in the summer, and has a number of options to consider – but Liverpool are only looking for a permanent deal and not a loan.
The likes of Southampton, Sevilla and Galatasaray have been mooted as possible destinations for the 26-year-old, with reports on Tuesday suggesting he would decide in the coming 48 hours.
According to BBC Sport, Sakho will be given another opportunity by struggling Swansea.
The relegation candidates are reported to have enquired as to the possibility of signing Sakho this month, though how serious their interest is remains to be seen.
Liverpool are looking to seal a £20 million deal for their No. 3, despite signing him for £18 million back in 2013, with Sakho’s contract set to run until 2020.
There have been suggestions Sakho would prefer to remain in the Premier League, with financial and professional benefits to consider.
But whether a move to the Liberty Stadium would be ideal is questionable, given their position in the Premier League this season.
The Swans are on their third manager of the campaign, following the sackings of Francesco Guidolin and Bob Bradley, with Paul Clement charged with steering them away from the drop.
They currently sit 19th in the table, having taken just 15 points from 20 games, and they have conceded the most goals (45) of any team in the English top flight.
This can be largely attributed to Ashley Williams’ summer exit, with the ex-Swansea captain leaving a void at the back which the south Wales side have been unable to fill.
Sakho, an imposing physical presence and a valuable authority figure, could help to compensate for Williams’ absence.
But with clubs in more favourable positions, such as Southampton and Sevilla, also interested in signing him, making the switch to join Clement’s struggling side may not be wise.
Either way, if Sakho is to make his decision this week, Liverpool will be hoping for a permanent transfer, as there is clearly no way back under Klopp.
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