Liverpool have finally managed to convince Mamadou Sakho to leave the club, with the defender joining Crystal Palace on loan until the end of the season.
The deal was confirmed with just minutes remaining of the January transfer window, effectively bringing an end to the 26-year-old’s spell at Anfield.
BREAKING: Mamadou Sakho joins @CPFC on loan from @LFC until the end of the season https://t.co/xt5GaIbqGz #DeadlineDay #SSNHQ pic.twitter.com/bFm6UYJAPq
— Sky Sports News HQ (@SkySportsNewsHQ) January 31, 2017
Liverpool had been looking to move Sakho on all month, with manager Jurgen Klopp making it abundantly clear that the French international had no place in his first team plans. Rather than waste more time in the reserves (as he had been doing since the summer), Sakho has instead chosen to make the move to South London, joining former teammates Martin Kelly and Christian Benteke at Selhurst Park.
The Reds had been looking for a staggering £20m for the exiled defender, and despite strong interest from a number of sides both in England and abroad, the asking price had proved to be a stumbling block.
In the end, Liverpool have had to compromise somewhat – Palace take Sakho on loan until the summer, with a £2m loan fee and the full payment of Sakho’s wages during that time thrown into the deal.