Jurgen Klopp’s hopes of moving Mamadou Sakho on in the transfer window have hit an obstacle with Sevilla all but ready to back out of the deal.
Goal confirmed the La Liga club were interested in the centre-back, who hasn’t featured for Liverpool’s senior side this season.
Galatasaray, West Brom, and Crystal Palace were the other clubs who had registered their interest, but it looked as if Sevilla was the most likely possibility at that stage.
However, the same source now report that the £20million price tag attached to Sakho is a major stumbling block, especially as Jorge Sampaoli’s side have already forked out for Clement Lenglet and signed Stevan Jovetic on loan.
Given that Sakho is only 26 and has proven himself – when he was allowed to play – as a solid Premier League defender, £20million doesn’t sound entirely unreasonable in the current market, but it could still prove too much for Sevilla.
“I don’t know if we will modify our squad again,” Sampaoli told Goal.
“Now, I think that we won’t reinforce more positions.
“We thought about signing another centre-back because [Daniel] Carrico had surgery, but it will be complicated.”
That will not go down well with Klopp, who fell out with Sakho in pre-season and has instead opted for the likes of Dejan Lovren and summer signing Joel Matip at the back.
It’s not impossible that Sakho could leave Anfield on loan, as his numerous disciplinary problems over the last year may deter clubs from taking a gamble on him.
