Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are in a decent place in the Premier League points table and though they only drew against Plymouth in the 3rd round of the FA Cup, taking the tie to a replay, they are also in the semi-finals of the League Cup, making their season a busy one. But in the middle of everything, the Reds are also having an eye on the transfer window and though they are looking to add players to the squad, they look likely to let a few go for sure. One such player who might not be at Anfield come the end of the season is French defender Mamadou Sakho.
The former PSG centre back had a decent time under the new manager Jurgen Klopp in the second half of the previous season. He was the first choice defender for Klopp and was supposed to help Liverpool to a trophy at least. However, a ban from the UEFA, for the usage of a banned substance, turned Sakho’s life upside down.
Ever since, Sakho is yet to play a Premier League game, and also missed two Cup finals in the space of two months. He is frozen out of the first-team this season for his off the pitch antics in the preseason tour to the United States with Liverpool and is now finally open to a move away from Anfield.
A number of Premier League clubs, as well as European outfits, are interested in his signature but Claude Puel’s Southampton are reportedly the frontrunners for his signature and there are more than a couple of reasons as to why Liverpool should seal this deal.
To start off with, Sakho has no future under Jurgen Klopp at Anfield. They are better off without him in the squad as he will give way for a youngster or a top class European talent in the summer. There is no way back for him by the look of things and Liverpool will only do him a favour by letting him go. Secondly, Sakho’s experience in the Premier League will surely get him a place in the best clubs in England but if Liverpool decides to sell to a heavyweight who is direct competition, it will play into the hands of their opposition, which the Reds will have to evade.
Moving on for the most important reason, Liverpool should sell Sakho only to the Saints, at least for the business relationship between the two clubs in the past. In the last 6 transfer windows, Liverpool have spent on Rickie Lambert, Nathaniel Clyne, Dejan Lovren, Sadio Mane and Adam Lallana, 4 of whom are first team members of the squad this season. Liverpool surely have a healthy relationship with the academy at the South Coast and it might be time for them to repay some of those favours. Though Liverpool are not bound to do so, if Southampton are really interested in his signature, Liverpool should not stop this deal for any reason.
And lastly, recent reports suggest that Southampton’s first choice center back Jose Fonte, who has handed in an official transfer request to the club, is up for sale and that the Reds are favourites to sign him. The Portuguese star is a decent addition to the squad and can add precious experience for the Reds in their run into the title. A swap deal can only be good for both parties as Southampton will be more than willing to sell to Liverpool, especially after getting a 26-year old international in return.
Do you think Liverpool should sell Mamadou Sakho to Southampton this January?