Mamadou Sakho’s wage demands could come in the way of a January move away from Liverpool, according to reports on Friday.
The Frenchman looks set to leave the club this transfer window, having failed to reclaim his first-team role following Jurgen Klopp‘s concerns over his attitude.
Sakho turned down a loan move in the summer, with Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion among those interested at the time, but is now due to depart on a permanent transfer.
However, while a number of clubs have expressed an interest, Sakho’s £105,000-a-week wage demands could scupper a switch.
That is according to Sky Sports, who claim that Sevilla, Southampton and Swansea City have all baulked at Sakho’s salary, presenting the 26-year-old with an issue this winter.
This comes after Sevilla manager Jorge Sampaoli admitted the possibility of signing a new centre-back this month was proving “complicated.”
“I don’t know if we will modify our squad again. Now, I think that we won’t reinforce more positions,” he explained.
“We thought about signing another centre-back because [Daniel] Carrico had surgery, but it will be complicated.”
If Sakho prices himself out of a move away from Liverpool this month, the Frenchman’s prospects should only diminish further—particularly on the international stage.
Sakho has dropped out of contention under Didier Deschamps due to a lack of first-team football, and missed the summer’s European Championship in France due to his suspension for a suspected drug charge.
The case was eventually dropped, but it remains that Sakho has not played a senior competitive game since the 4-0 victory at home to Everton in the Premier League on April 20.
He was imperious that day at Anfield, but his untenable position under Klopp has undermined this entirely.
Interest from Russian Premier League side Spartak Moscow could still see Sakho secure a transfer, however, with reports earlier this week suggesting their offer would be financially appealing.
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