Liverpool centre-back Mamadou Sakho has revealed he would be open to returning to the club after his successful loan spell with Crystal Palace.
The France international was frozen out on Merseyside last summer, before joining the Eagles on a six-month loan at the end of the January transfer window.
Sakho has been in fine form since leaving for Selhurst Park, winning four of his five appearances, including away to Chelsea on April 1, and helping to keep three clean sheets.
This has led to speculation over the defender’s long-term future, with Liverpool believed to value Sakho at £30 million.
But while it seems unlikely he would make a comeback at Anfield, having fallen out with Jurgen Klopp last summer, the 27-year-old has stressed he “would be happy” to.
“I still have a contract for three more years,” he told French outlet Telefoot this week.
“If I were to wear the Liverpool shirt again, I would be happy to do so.
“I was late for training, something that happens everywhere. I paid a fine and I do not know what else I can do.
“It is up to the boss. He makes the decisions and I can only accept that.
“And we will see what happens if my future is elsewhere.”
Klopp’s decision to part ways with Sakho is undermined by the game, with the Frenchman’s form for Palace contrasting with the struggles of his Reds counterparts.
But while his manager has also publicly claimed that his long-term future is undecided, Sakho is highly unlikely to remain a Liverpool player next season.
Palace are interested in signing him on a permanent deal, but will face competition from the likes of Southampton and Napoli.
Liverpool legend Phil Thompson suggested Sakho could be used as a makeweight in a possible deal to bring Saints centre-back Virgil van Dijk to Merseyside, but this would be a difficult feat.
And Sakho’s body language during his interview with Telefoot suggests he is realistic about his chances of staying at Anfield.
It would no doubt take a change in manager for him to salvage his Reds career, and the ideal scenario for the club this summer would be securing the best deal possible.
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